(Cover Photo Curtesy of Maya Zinkow)
Going on a overnight camping trip? Wear tefillin? Sometimes it can be stressful to take your precious phylacteries with you into the woods. What if they get damaged?
These are important considerations. If, like me, you do decide to take your tefillin on your outdoor excursions, here are some steps you can take to keep them safe.
Cleanliness:
Staying clean can be a struggle in extended backcountry treks. However, putting your tefillin on a dirty arm will ultimately be detrimental to its state of being. So, take the time to wash off your tefillin arm in the evening (being careful to use biodegradable soap, at a safe distance from water—175ft). You likely won’t actually need to wash your hair, but you might consider washing off your forehead/face if you feel like it is dirty. Don’t worry too much about your hair not being clean, the oil from you hair can actually be conditioning for the Tefillin. Finally, if you feel like you are too dirty to put your tefillin on, then you are obligated not to. Being too dirty is dishonoring for the tefillin and you should leave them off.
Consider your case:
Protecting tefillin during transit is always a good idea, but when the situation might be more hazardous than a typical walk to shul, a more durable and—more importantly—waterproof case is called for. There are a few options that I have explored, and will outline here.
Remember that once you use a case/bag for tefillin, it cannot be used for another purpose, so no matter what option you decide on, it will have to remain a tefillin-only case once used in such manner.
Dry Bags:
Photo Curtesy of and © Sea to Summit
Photo Curtesy of and © Sea to Summit
An important thing to consider with this option, is that you must use it in conjunction with another hard case of some kind. This is no problem, as most of us have “traditional” style tefillin cases anyways (something like this):
If you are only going for an overnight and don’t expect things to get tumbled around, this can be a good, and very cost-conscious, option.
Here are the pros and cons:
Cons:
Does not float (one might float if there was enough air left in the bag. For a canoe or kayak expedition, make sure the bag is tied to the canoe at all times).
Not waterproof submerged.
Requires additional hard cases (more “parts”).
Pros:
Waterproof against splash, rain, or inside of backpack.
Durable (varies depending on brand and material), lightweight is obviously less durable.
Inexpensive (Sea to Summit 2L [lightweight] $14.95, Sea to Summit Big River bag 3L [heavyweight] $23.95).
Size options: you can get a larger bag and put your tallis and siddur in to protect them from water as well.
Lightweight is great for backpacking, and for the weight, you can carry a backup in case of puncture or tear. Or, use a slightly heavier weight with a lightweight inside for extra protection and to allow for carrying into a restroom.
The Tefidanit Case:
The next option is very common already and you might have seen it at shul, or if you’ve been to visit Israel, it is very common and available in many markets (Beware of knockoffs!). This is often referred to as the “military” or “IDF” case:
Photo courtesy of and © Tefillin Beit El
These cases are more crush, water, and temperature resistant than dry bags, and have the added value of being unique for tefillin. The “IDF” model is designed to be to attached to the outside of a bag, and might be of special interest to backpackers (it’s slightly more expensive than the “normal” model). The buckle-on Tallis bag is a nice addition. And because it is a hard case, additional individual tefillin covers are not necessary. Here are the details:
Cons:
Heavier that dry bags, and considerably bulkier.
Due to size/shape, getting it into a backpack can be frustrating, although it can be strapped to the outside easily (especially the IDF special model).
Does not float.
A bit more expensive at $68.49 (Tefillin Beit El)
Pros:
Designed for Tefillin, no need to worry about confusing with other cases/bags.
Great for daily use, carry to school, shul, or work. Carry handle and shoulder strap.
Weatherproof container protects against water (splash, rain, and submerged, but not time-tested. A quick plunge may not leak in, but sitting for a longer period might) and temperature change.
Well made in Israel.
Pocket for soft cover siddur.
Mirror attached to inside of lid!
Because of the closed container inside the zippered outer shell, this case can halachically be taken into a bathroom.
The Pelican 1120 Case:
The above options are both solid, with obvious benefits to each. I used a Tefidanit case for years, and only recently changed to the following option, as I wanted something that would provide waterproofing in case of submergement, crushproof hard casing, and be clean-lined/stylish for carrying to shul, while also being a little bit smaller. I went with the Pelican 1120 Case, which measures 7.3" × 4.8" × 3.3":
© Pelican Products, Inc.
Inside view: foam is customizable.
© Pelican Products, Inc.
I really like this case. I can fit my tefillin and a Tallit katan in the case (I'm working on an ultralight tallit gadol—I'll keep you posted). A Mincha/Maariv siddur also fits, but I haven't found a full siddur small enough yet. It looks sleek, is waterproof to 90 meters, and is very solid. Empty, the Pelican and the Tefidanit are about the same weight (pelican with foam is slightly lighter, at 1.43lbs). I keep my tefillin in a small bag inside the box, so that I can take it into a restroom without concern. Here’s the details:
Cons:
It's still a bit bulky compared to the dry bag option.
Does not easily accommodate a tallit/siddur.
Costs more than the heavyweight dry bag.
No mirror (one could be added with little difficulty).
Pros:
Completely waterproof up to 90 meters for 30 minutes. No other case compares with this for water protection.
Incredibly strong case, I have stood on mine with no ill-effect (215lbs).
Customizable foam allows for secure fit within, so bumping is no concern.
Carry handle—it looks like a tiny briefcase or a lunch box.
Less expensive than the Tefidanit, it costs $30.95 from Pelican.
This is the only case that floats, with a max weight of 5lbs buoyancy.
Summary:
These are, in my opinion, the best options for protecting your tefillin. Please, don't trust a gallon-sized freezer bag to hold up to schelping and handling on the trail and maintain water-tightness! When choosing the option that is right for you, consider what activities you will be doing and make a decision based on factors such as:
Duration of activity:
A six-month-long through-hike will likely wear out a lightweight dry bag. Consider mailing yourself a replacement, going for a sturdier bag, or using one of the cases. If you are sending your kid to camp for the summer, a dry bag will probably suffice, but I might go with the heavyweight just to be safe.
Proximity to water:
If you will be canoeing/kayaking or otherwise be on our near a body of water, only the pelican case floats. If you use a dry bag, go for the heavyweight and use a line/carabiner to secure it. I further recommend leaving a 10ft floating rope (available at most home improvement stores, or here) tied to the bag at all times in case it should fall, you'll be able to catch the rope.
Are you planning to use it in “normal” life?:
The dry bags are great, but don't exactly speak to style or “professional” aspects of life. If you want a case that you take on the trail and in the Temple, Tefidanit or Pelican are your best bets.
I hope you found this article useful! Let me know in the comments what your thoughts are about taking tefillin camping, the case you use/used to use, or share a story about a meaningful experience you had wearing tefillin in the Great Outdoors!
Special thanks to Rabbi Soferet Rachel Salston for her advice on care of tefillin!
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