Question: In the shul where I pray, there are times when refreshments are served after the morning prayers for an ilui neshama or similar purposes. Is it permissible to eat while wearing tefillin, or must they be removed first?

Answer: Shulchan Aruch states that a small, seudat arai may be eaten while wearing tefillin. Therefore, if one is eating a quantity of bread equal to the size of a kabeitzah or baked goods (mezonot) of 54 grams or more must the tefillin be removed first. Other foods may be eaten even in larger amounts while still wearing tefillin.