Tfillin and Marriage Symbols

[debka_notion]

Just noticed this morning that not only do we recite psukim (verses) about being bethrothed to G-d while wrapping tfillin straps around our fingers, we then go on to wrap the strap around the ring where people contemporarily wear wedding rings. I wonder if there was some influence, although I very much doubt it. But it was a striking sort of coincidence.

I wonder if that affects how married Jews feel about their rings and/or about their tfillin. (Input, anyone?)

Comments

[shirei-shibolim.livejournal.com]

I wore my wedding ring on my right hand for a while, out of convenience. It didn't get in the way of the strap (which can be uncomfortable, at least with my hands and ring) and wasn't exactly countercultural since European men wear their wedding rings on their right hands. Eventually I was made aware that it was really bothering my mother in law, and decided it wasn't worth the argument. Now I just move it to the other hand when I put on tefillin.

I've thought quite a bit about the symbology of having the ring on one hand and the tefillah on the other. Not that I've come to any conclusions, mind you.

[fleurdelis28.livejournal.com]

European men wear their wedding rings on their right hands.

Really?

[shirei-shibolim.livejournal.com]

So I'm told by some European (which includes Israeli) men.

[fleurdelis28.livejournal.com]

Interesting. I remember someone or other telling me that in the U.S. wearing the ring on one's right hand represents a homosexual commitment that one is upset the law doesn't recognize.

[shirei-shibolim.livejournal.com]

I think I remember you telling me about this before, along with the context. In any case, this is probably a fairly (read: extremely) recent innovation and not likely to be widely known.