phylactery

/'filæktəri/

Friendly

Explanation of "Phylactery"

Definition:
A "phylactery" is a noun that refers to one of two small leather boxes that contain texts from the Hebrew scriptures. These boxes are called "tefillin" in Hebrew. They are traditionally worn by Jewish men on their forehead and left arm during morning prayers.

Usage Instructions:

• When to use: You would use the word "phylactery" when discussing Jewish religious practices, particularly in the context of prayer and religious symbols.
• How to use: You can say, "He wore his phylactery during the morning service."

Example Sentences:

1. "As part of the morning prayers, he carefully placed his phylactery on his arm and forehead."
2. "In Jewish tradition, the phylactery is a reminder of faith and commitment to God."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, you might discuss the symbolism of phylacteries, such as how they represent the binding of the heart and mind to God's commandments.

Word Variants:

• Phylacteries (plural): This is the plural form of the word, used when referring to more than one phylactery.
  • Example: "The phylacteries are stored in a special place when not in use."

Different Meaning:

While "phylactery" primarily refers to the Jewish religious item, in ancient contexts, it could also refer to a charm or amulet believed to protect against evil or misfortune. However, this usage is much less common in modern English.

Synonyms:

• Tefillin (the Hebrew term)
• Amulet (in a more general sense, though not specifically the same)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly associated with "phylactery" due to its specialized religious context.

Summary:

In summary, "phylactery" is a specialized term used in Judaism to describe a religious object that plays a significant role in daily prayers.

Academic

Noun

1. (Judaism) either of two small leather cases containing texts from the Hebrew Scriptures (known collectively as tefillin); traditionally worn (on the forehead and the left arm) by Jewish men during morning prayer

Synonyms

• tefillin