English

Noun

phylacteries

1. plural of phylactery
   • New Testament, Matthew 23:5

     They do all their deeds to be seen by people, for they make their phylacteries wide and their tassels long.

   • R. Eliezer, Talmud: Sabbath; Circumcision

     It once happened that the government promulgated a decree by which all Israelites who would use Tephillin (phylacteries) were to be decapitated. This Elisha donned his phylacteries and went out into the market. He was seen by a casdor (qu?stor), and the latter pursued him. Seeing that he could not escape, Elisha took the phylacteries from his head and carried them in his hand. When questioned by the qu?stor what he carried in his hand, he replied: "Wings of doves."

References

Mack, Edward. Nextbible, 2005. Phylacteries.

Anagrams

• hyperelastic