In this week's Torah portion, Moses tells the Jewish people to follow the Torah and live proper lives. Aside from the obvious need to follow G-d's Will, this conduct would bring an additional benefit: The nations of the world would sense that the Jews are connected to G-d, and respect them (Deut. 28:10 "...then all the people of the world will see that G-d's name is proclaimed over you and respect you". ) Seems like an easily understood, inspiring lesson: Do the right thing and you'll have an easier time navigating life.
But the Talmud puts a curious spin on this idea; it teaches that this verse specifically "refers to the Tefillin [on] the head (Tefillin - usually translated as phylacteries - are prayer accoutrements. Black boxes containing scrolls are strapped to one's forearm and head)". Out of all the Mitzvos we keep, it's specifically the Tefillin which trigger a reality in which the world respects our way of life. Why?
One important point concerns the scrolls inside the Tefillin boxes. Those parchments contain the famous Shema prayer, which proclaims G-d's Oneness. When the Torah makes such a 'big deal' of Oneness, it isn't simply precluding a second God; it is establishing a belief system.
In a Torah system, everything in life can fit into a meaningful paradigm. Nothing in life - business, food, pleasure etc. - need be outside the rubric of meaning. Meaning isn't restricted to 'holy moments' of introspection or altruism.
When we engage the world properly, as G-d wishes for it to be engaged, our 'normal' lives can be truly substantive. We can follow a meaningful thread throughout our entire [seemingly] mundane day. The day - with all its hectic variables - can have One theme: Meaning.
That's a Shema message, and thus a Tefillin message.
But the Talmud goes one step deeper. When referring to the Tefillin in this context, the Talmud calls them the 'Tefillin IN (as opposed to 'on') the head".
What could that mean?
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, whose resting place I visited last week, gave an interesting interpetation.
He said that Tefillin, with its Mitzvah-sanctity and message of Oneness, is holy in its own right. But it's only when the message is INTERNALIZED, 'in' the head, that the effect is maximized to the extent that the Torah forecasts.
When we proclaim Oneness, that's important. But when we truly integrate Oneness into our lives, living a wholesome 'Oneness' life, the world can't help but notice - and respect.
Shabbat Shalom
Mendy