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In a landmark move, Israel’s Ministry of Education has issued, for the first time, an official nationwide directive guaranteeing the right of students in state schools to put on tefillin during the school day.

The new Director-General’s Circular establishes a uniform national policy following numerous complaints and incidents in schools across the country, where the absence of clear guidelines led to confusion, inconsistent enforcement, and, in some cases, disputes over students’ ability to lay tefillin.

Under the new policy, school principals are required to allow any student who wishes to put on tefillin on school grounds and to establish a clear school procedure governing its implementation. Schools must designate a respectful location for tefillin, schedule specific times during recess for students to do so, and publish the policy as part of the school’s official regulations.

It also makes clear that students who choose to lay tefillin are responsible for bringing their own tefillin and ensuring they arrive to class on time afterward, allowing them to fulfill the mitzvah without disrupting the regular school schedule.

In addition, the Ministry encourages schools to implement the policy through open dialogue with teachers, parents, and student councils, with the goal of ensuring respectful implementation while maintaining a positive educational environment for all students, regardless of whether they choose to put on tefillin.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch welcomed the decision, stating: “Putting on tefillin in the Jewish state should not be a matter of controversy or local interpretation. It is a fundamental right, a basic Jewish tradition, and a source of national pride.”

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