Were Tefillin Phylacteries?

Research notes: 
reader checked 30/11/2011 AL
Reference type: 
Journal Article
Author(s): 
Cohn, Yehudah B.
year: 
2008
Full title: 

Were Tefillin Phylacteries?

Translated title: 
Journal / Book Title || Series Title: 
Journal of Jewish Studies
Volume: 
59
Issue / Series Volume: 
1
Number of volumes: 
0
Series Title: 
Abbreviated Series Name: 
Collaborating Author: 
Place of Publication: 
Publisher: 
Pages: 
39-61
Chapter: 
Work type: 
Abstract: 

The article analyses anomalies in the Qumran tefillin corpus, the earliest archaeological evidence for the practice, in the light of which I argue that tefillin originated as ‘length-of-days’ amulets. These anomalies and other features of Qumran tefillin are also explained, with reference to this hypothesis, against the backdrop of comparative evidence for ancient amuletic ritual. A popular / private model for tefillin practice is highlighted, and I additionally argue that the etymology of the word ‘tefillin’ reflects the objects’ function as a prayer in material form. I conclude that tefillin were indeed protective amulets, i.e. phylacteries, calling into question the implications of this finding for the Jewish encounter with Hellenistic religion. In an appendix I bring the Qumran mezuzot into the picture, suggesting that these may in fact have been tefillin, and that they are in any event support for my argument. Copyright © Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies

Notes: 
Language: 
Alternative title: 
JJS
Date: 
Hebrew bible: 
Book: 
Deuteronomy
Chapter(s): 
5^6
Verse(s): 
Book: 
Deuteronomy
Chapter(s): 
11
Verse(s): 
Book: 
Deuteronomy
Chapter(s): 
32
Verse(s): 
Edition: 
Original Publication: 
Reprint edition: 
URL: 
http://jjs-online.net/toc.php?subaction=fullcontent&id=059_01_039_1&type=article&review=
DOI: 
ISBN: 
Accession number: 
Call num: 
Label: 
12/05/2008
Record number: 
2 006