Q. How come there is no mention in the Tefilos and Leshem Yichud or Yehi Ratzon in our commonly used sidurim about the special intention one must have before placing on Tefilin or Tzitzith?

A. Recently we wrote that there are three mitzvos that require an added special Kavana or intention to keep in mind when performing them, besides the complying with the basic mitzva itself.

They are: Tzitzis, as the Torah writes: “In order that you shall recall my mitzvos and do them” (Bam’. 15 : 40); Tefillin, as mentioned (Shem’. 13: 9) “In order that the Torah shall be in your mouths”, and Sukkah, as written; “In order that you recall the redemption from Egypt when Hashem caused you to dwell in clouds of glory (Vayikra 23:43).

Since the word “l’ma’an” – meaning ‘because’ or ‘in order that,’ the Torah explicitly indicated the purpose of the mitzva, and one must have intention not only for complying with the act of the mitzva itself but also with the reason mentioned.

Although, Derech Pekudecha (18) maintains that one does not comply with the above three mitzvos if one does not have in mind the added kavana, most Poskim disagree, and opine that although one did not abide with the mitzva properly, after the fact one complied.

After consulting with Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a and our other group of Rabbonim involved, we agreed that it is better and more correct to bring this most important issue first to a meeting of the Vaad of Rabbonim of Toronto, since it involves changing the Nusach and words of Siddurim, to see which is the best and most proper way to react.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a