A problem with a Phylactery!

Posted 19 Mar 2026

I have been drawing Bible Cartoons to illustrate chapter 3 of John’s gospel, specifically Nicodemus’ visit with Jesus at night. I recalled that devout Jewish men wore a Phylactery (see description below) on their left arm, so I decided to draw the leather strap wound around Nicodemus’ left hand (see image above, the object in the red circle). After completing 4 of the 5 pictures I suddenly discovered that Phylacteries are only work in the morning, never after sunset. So Nicodemus wouldn’t have worn his when he visited Jesus at night… uh oh!

I have just re-coloured the scenes & deleted the Phylactery from the Nicodemus figure… that’ll teach me to do more research before I complete a Bible Cartoon!!!

A note about Phylacteries (tefillin).
A Phylactery is a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men, worn on the left arm and on the head by observant Jewish men and especially adherents of Orthodox Judaism during morning weekday prayers. Their purpose is a reminder to keep the law. They represent a divine commandment to bind God’s words as a sign upon the hand and between the eyes, symbolizing dedication of intellect and actions to God.

Phylacteries (tefillin) are worn in Jewish culture exclusively during the daytime, primarily during weekday morning prayer services (Shacharit). They can be put on from the time known as misheyakir—when there is enough daylight to distinguish between blue and white threads, or to recognize an acquaintance from a short distance. They may be worn anytime during the day until sunset. Phylacteries (tefillin) are worn on weekdays (Sunday through Friday), but they are not worn on Shabbat or major Jewish holidays (such as Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot) because those days are considered “signs” themselves.

Phylacteries (tefillin) are not worn at night, as that is not considered their appointed time.

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