7 July 2026
Jews and Shoes-Put on First, Tie Second
From Biblical mitzvahs to kabbalistic conduct, shoes play a surprisingly significant role in Jewish life. The Torah covers every aspect of life—even an action as mundane as putting on your shoes! Based on the halachic principle that the right side is more prestigious, the right shoe is put on first and removed last. If you’re a lefty, the order is reversed.But here’s where it gets interesting: Once your shoes are on, the left shoelaces are tied first (and untied last) connecting it to teffilin.
The Gemara (Shabbos 61a) discusses the proper order for putting on shoes and presents differing opinions. Rebbi Yochanan maintains that the left shoe should be put on first, while a Beraisa teaches that the right shoe should precede the left. In light of these conflicting views, Rav Yosef concludes that either order is acceptable. Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak, however, suggests that a God-fearing person should satisfy both opinions by putting on the right shoe first but tying the left shoe first. Rav Ashi further relates that he observed Rav Kahana putting on his shoes without being particular about the order.
The Rishonim are divided on the practical halacha. The Rif, Rambam, Rosh, and many other early authorities omit this discussion entirely, indicating that they accept the view of Rav Yosef and Rav Ashi that no specific order is required. By contrast, the Tur and the Shulchan Aruch rule in accordance with Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak, instructing that one should first put on the right shoe and then tie the left shoe before the right. This is the ruling accepted in normative halachic practice.
The Taz (Orach Chaim 2:3) explains that, fundamentally, the Tur and Shulchan Aruch also recognize that the strict halacha follows the majority of the Rishonim, who do not require any particular order. Nevertheless, since it is easy to accommodate all opinions by tying the left shoe first, they recommend doing so as an expression of piety. Taz concludes: If difficult, any order suffices.
Risk of disappearing
Today, this custom is less widely observed because it is generally regarded as a matter of pious practice rather than a binding religious obligation. Over time, the symbolic meaning of the practice has become less apparent in modern life, where daily routines tend to prioritize practicality over ritual detail. As a result, greater emphasis is placed on central religious observances such as Shabbat, prayer, and kashrut, while customs involving ordinary actions receive less attention. Nevertheless, the practice continues to be observed in many Orthodox communities as a reminder that even the smallest acts of everyday life can be imbued with religious intention and spiritual awareness.
Bibliography / Sources
https://biblehub.com/topical/ttt/s/shoes–the_jews–put_on,_before_beginning_a_journey.htm
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/260661/jewish/The-Laws-of-Using-The-Right-Side.htm
