Social Media Star Attacked for Wearing Tefillin on Jewish Holiday

Israeli social media influencer Oren Lahav faced backlash after posting a video of himself wearing tefillin during Chol Hamoed, an intermediate holiday period in Judaism. According to mainstream Halakha, tefillin are not worn on these intermediate days.

Lahav, who has recently become more religiously observant, explained in a public response that he wore the tefillin out of a desire to pray as he does every morning, coming from a religious home and finding personal spiritual fulfillment in the practice. He stated his intention was to perform a mitzvah (commandment), not to transgress a prohibition.

He addressed his critics directly, urging them to remember the principle of 'love your neighbor as yourself.' Lahav acknowledged his mistake, stating, 'We fall, we are human. We learn from mistakes, and just as I have strengthened myself recently, so I learn from everything. I didn't know that tefillin are forbidden on Chol Hamoed, and now I have learned it and will internalize it.' He concluded with a message of learning and growth from the experience.