(Exodus/שמות 13:9)
Some months ago on the Chabad web site there was a discussion of how to don/lay/wrap/put on tefillin.
Since only Chabad can post graphics I was unable to show some of the many different - and acceptable - ways men wrap the hand tefillin. (There is little difference in the way the head tefillin are placed.)
The following images show several of the more common ways to wear the hand tefillin.
As with almost everyone, there are three (3) turns around the finger; some Moroccans place one "loop" on each of the finger's three phalanges (as shown above). Others have two turns on the proximal phalange and one on the medial phalange (see Chabad hand, below. Some Sefardim/Mizrachim also place a shin (ש) on the biceps, similar to the Chabad shin, below; this helps hold the box in place, but since there is a shin on the finger, a shin on the biceps is not a requirement. Of those who do place a shin on the bicep, some put the strap on the box's upper edge; others on the lower edge. All of the above wrap out (away from the body), that is, the knot on the hand tefillin strap is close to the heart with the "loop" away from the heart vs. the normative Ashkenazi knot which is distant from the heart so the Ashkenazi can wrap inward (toward the body). There are numerous explanations for each custom.
Sefardi - Specifically Moroccan
Securing the tefillin
Egyptian "spring" - This may be common with others (e.g., Ben Ish Hai). The hand is the basic Sefardi/Mizrachi hand wrap (See the Sefardi wrap, above.)
Chabad "Shin" (sometimes used by Sefardim)
Chabad hand wrap
"Typical" Ashkenazi wrap on hand
All the above, and others not shown, are "kosher" wraps. Each man should follow his father's or grand-father's tradition. Fathers-in-law also are valid if the father forgot how HIS father "laid tefillin."
