When you purchase Tefilin, the Tefilin Shel Yad has a protective cover. Why? Is it Halachically necessary?
Answer
(D'varim 6:8) וּקְשַׁרְתָּם לְאוֹת עַל יָדֶךָ
From this פסוק it is understood that the arm t'filin should serve "as a sign for you" in the sense of "exclusively for you", in which case they should not be exposed to the rest of the world while worn. The head box, on the other hand, is
(ibid.) וְהָיוּ לְטֹטָפֹת בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ
which is understood to mean "to be seen", and therefore has no such need.
The Ram"a is not concerned about the specific requirement to cover them. Although he does hold of the need for exclusivity, he holds that it is achieved through placement on the arm, and nothing more (O.C. 23:11). Others hold, based on teaching of the Ariza"l, that mystical concerns overtake this lack of necessity anyway because the t'filin need to be worn modestly - even if noone else is around.
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