Selected Passages
Selected passages
#Integration #HeartAndMind
The tefillin shel yad is placed on the arm, which symbolizes our ability to act. Notably, our actions are always singular; though our motives may be complex, we can only do one thing with a given limb at one time. Thus, the arm tefillin contains all four passages on a single parchment ... is placed next to the heart — the world of will, feeling, and yearning. The heart doesn’t think in categories; it feels everything at once. The arm tefillin, therefore, joins all four passages on one parchment, reflecting the inner unity of emotional and spiritual experience. The head, by contrast, represents the intellect. The mind can differentiate and organize. It sees nuance and structure. This is one way to understand the significance of the head tefillin giving each passage its own space. It reflects the mind’s ability to examine each truth in its fullness. Together, the arm and head tefillin help us integrate who we are — to bring together emotion and reason, chaos and clarity, instinct and intention.
#Alignment #SpiritualPractice
Tefillin invite us into a different posture — one of inner alignment. They say: Bind your arm, heart, and head together. Bring your actions in line with your values. Bring your emotions into conversation with your thoughts. Live from one place — not three separate ones
#Commitment #Avodah
Being willing to step in and try, even when we do not receive some positive spiritual affect, is the truest measure of devotion
#Consistency #Integrity
Halachah teaches that when removing tefillin, we move in reverse order from the way we put them on. We begin by unwinding the straps from our hand and fingers. Next, we remove the tefillin shel rosh from the head and wrap the straps around the base of the bayis after it had been placed in its protective case. We end with the shel yad, unwinding the strap from the arm and slipping off the box before placing it in its case and winding the strap around it. This order teaches something powerful: when holiness departs, it leaves action — the tefillin shel yad — for last. Action is what stays with you. The felt closeness of your engagement with God may unravel, your spiritual thoughts and consciousness may fade. But what you do can continue. It is important to live inspired and with meaning. It is most important to choose to live and act with integrity even when meaning and inspiration elude us