Perhaps what sets the Hanacha K’Halacha Tefillin Awareness Project apart, is the sheer melting pot of Yidden that it attracts.

This was evident once again this past Sunday morning in Lakewood at Bais Medrash of Arlington, also known as Khal Rayim Ahuvim. The shul, with its Mora D’asra Rav Yissocher Dov Kahan hosted R’Avrohom Schachter and his program.

Yidden from the Lakewood community came together to make certain that they were putting on ‘kosher’ Tefillin as well as to verify they were placing them properly.

In spite of the event being labeled as an awareness program, one could argue that it is in fact much more than that.

Throughout the ten years of this essential program’s existence, it has literally allowed tens of thousands of Yidden in all sorts of communities to be mekayem the mitzvah Lechatchila and sometimes altogether. To hear someone exclaim “wow I never knew that Halacha” has become the norm not the exception. In the same vein one only needs to ask any man or bachur who attended one of these events to realize just how helpful and important this undertaking is. From the beautifully draped tables, to the way each Sofer skillfully helps out every individual, it is all done so professionally and bakovodik. This past Sunday’s event saw a large crowd in the Arlington Bais Medrash, yet they were prepared with six Sofrim, to ensure short waiting times. Four Sofrim attended from Lakewood and two Sofrim traveled that morning from Williamsburg.

As in the past events, the Sofrim took their time to make sure and explain everything they were doing. The emphasis was on making sure that the placement and the kesharim were correct, both of the Shel yad and the Shel rosh. They clarified some common errors such as the correct area for the knot of the Shel rosh which is supposed to be higher that many people realize. Additionally they were on the lookout for proper stitching, proper squareness of Batim, defective retzuos or retzuos that stretched and became too narrow – rendering them Posul.

The real winners were the attendees who took their time on a Sunday morning to show Hashem their love for his Mitzvos and how scrupulous we are to make sure we do each one of them in the most mehudar way. In the words of one of the participants, ” I am so happy that I am now being mekayem this vital mitzvah every day in its completeness and so Lechatchila.”

Rav Kahan, the Rov of the shul, thanked Mr. Schachter numerous times throughout the morning, for coming down with his six Sofrim, as he saw firsthand how many of his mispallelim enthusiastically took advantage of the free sponsored program.
R’ Avi Chopp and R’Shmuel Schachter were instrumental to the success of the morning’s program. To learn more about this unique program, call 718-377-6735.