The element of Jewish prayer vestments. Tefillin are a pair of black leather boxes (batim=houses) made of the hide of a clean kosher animal (one that according to the Torah is kosher to eat) containing Hebrew parchment Torah scrolls (parshiot). A set includes two tefillin—one for the head and one for the arm. Each consists of three main components: the scrolls, the box and the strap. Black leather straps (retsu'ot) pass through the rear of the base and are used to secure the tefillin onto the body. One box is strapped on the head between the eyes at the front hairline, and the other onto the arm on the lower half of the bicep next to the heart. A right-handed person should place tefillin on the left arm (lefties wear it on their right).
Traditional tefillin. 30-ties of the 20th century. In good condition. In need of repair.