Reply To: Short & Sweet

Bo: Living Emunah

After finishing the story of Bnei Yisroel leaving Mitzrayim, the Torah tells us about the mitzva of Teffilin. Through the parshiyos of Tefillin, we are to bind the the story of יציאת מצרים to our weaker arm and to our head. But why do we put Teffilin on specifically these locations?

R’ Shamshon Raphael Hirsh explains through Teffilin, we internalize the message of יציאת מצרים – that we owe our freedom and our very existence to Hashem, and that we therefore belong entirely to Him.

By binding Teffilin to our arms, we express that these ideals should be the guide for all of about actions. By putting them on our heads, we express that they are the basis of all of our thoughts.

Alternatively, the Kli Yakar explains why the Teffilin is supposed to be placed on the weaker arm. This is a reminder that that it not through own strength that we accomplish what we set out to do. Without the help of Hashem, nothing is possible.

This is very in much line with a Ramban at the end of this weeks parsha Ramban that explains why we put so much emphasis on remembering יציאת מצרים. The Ramban writes that the fact that Hashem did open miracles (נסים גלוים) back then proves that Hashem runs the world. Once we acknowledge that, we will see Hashem’s hand even in the seemingly “natural” occurrences (נסים נסתרים).

לע״נ דוד חיים בן ישראל דוב הכהן
לע״נ ר׳ חיים דוב בן ר׳ בןציון שלום