The device allows soldiers missing a hand to put on tefillin independently, in accordance with Jewish law. ‘This isn’t just a technical fix; it restored my self-respect.’
A new patent is helping to restore the independence of soldiers injured in combat, allowing those who have lost an arm to fulfill the mitzvah of putting on tefillin, Ynet reported Thursday.
Putting on tefillin involves fastening a leather box containing Torah verses to the upper arm, facing the heart, with a leather strap connected to the box. The remaining length of the strap is then wrapped around the arm and hand. Understandably, the procedure can pose a considerable challenge for those missing a hand.
The new device, unveiled by Alyn Hospital in Jerusalem in collaboration with a team from Sheba Medical Center, addresses the challenge posed by amputees, securing the tefillin on the arm without the need for an extra hand.