Parshat Bo 5780
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in this week's parsha the mitzvah of Tefillin. The pasuk says (Chapter 13, Pasuk 9) V'Hayah Lecha L'Os al Yadcha U'Lezikaron Bein Eiynecha, Le'Ma'an Tihyeh Toras Hashem B'Ficha; The Tefillin should be an Os on your arm and a remembrance on your head between your eyes, in order that Toras Hashem should be in your mouth. What is the significance of this concept of an Os, a sign, and what does it mean that the Torah of Hashem should be in your mouth?
The Gemara in Menachos 36B teaches that the mitzvah of Tefillin doesn't apply on Shabbos and Yom Tov. The Gemara explains this with the words Yatzu Shabbosos V'Yamim Tovim Shehein Gufan Os; the pasuk which refers to Tefillin as an Os is coming to exclude Shabbos and Yom Tov since they themselves are an Os. What does it mean that Shabbos and Yom Tov are an Os, a sign, and why does that exclude one from the mitzvah of Tefillin on those holy days?
The Sfas Emes teaches that when a Jew puts on Tefillin, it allows his holy Neshamah to shine forth. Typically, our physical body and its desires block our internal holiness from revealing itself. The fulfillment of the mitzvah of Tefillin removes this barrier and lets the light shine forth. And what is this light? It is the light of the Torah, as we say in Birchas Ha'Torah, V'Chayei Olam Nata Be'Socheinu. The light of the Torah is contained deep within us and we must let it out.
This explains the meaning of Tefillin being a sign or an Os; the fulfillment of this mitzvah shows and indicates the Divine holiness contained within every Jew. The Navi Yeshayahu (Chapter 43, Pasuk 10) tells Bnei Yisrael that Hashem commands us Atem Eidai; we need to testify about Hashem as the Creator of the world. We fulfill this role best when we wear our Tefillin.
Shabbos and Yom Tov are also an Os. We say in davening on Shabbos morning, Yom Ha'Shvi'i Meshabe'ach V'Omer. The Ba'al Shem Tov understands this statement literally, Shabbos calls out and praises Hashem and says Mizmor Shir La'Yom Ha'Shabbos. Shabbos and Yom Tov are both days that testify to the Divine nature of the world. As the Gemara above states, Shehein Gufan Os, the days themselves are an Os and testify.
On Shabbos, we move beyond the mundane six days of the week and enter a world above time. As the Medrash teaches in Bereishis Rabbah (11,8), Shabbos tells Hashem that all the days of the week have a ben zug, a partner; only Shabbos is alone. The passage of time during the days of the week share the commonality of being a physical reality which covers up the holiness of Gd in the world. Knesses Yisrael He Ben Zugcha; Hashem tells Shabbos that its partner is the people of Israel. The partnership between Shabbos and Clal Yisrael is that they both testify that Hashem created the world. Both Shabbos and Bnei Yisrael are an Os. Bnei Yisrael become an Os by putting on Tefillin and Shabbos and Yom Tov Hein Gufan Os.
The Gemara in Brachos 14B teaches in the name of Ulah, Kol Hakore Keriyas Shema B'Lo Tefillin K'Ilu Me'id Eidus Sheker. The Sfas Emes explains that when one says Keriyas Shema, he is testifying about Hashem being the Creator of the world. But he's not wearing Tefillin. He is not being an Os and clearly testifying to his Divine spirit. His words say one thing, but his actions are confusing. His words are fundamental words of Torah, but the Chayei Olam within him is not being reflected outward through the mitzvah of Tefillin. This, say Chazal, is false testimony. He is speaking about the Divine but his actions are focused on the mundane.
The purpose of Tefillin is taught by the pasuk as Le'Ma'an Tihyeh Toras Hashem B'Ficha. The way we rectify this false testimony is by putting on Tefillin and having the light of the Torah revealed through our mouths as well. Then, when we say Keriyas Shema, our words are the words of Toras Hashem. We aren't confused and are words are not confusing. Our actions become consistent with our speech. Not only do we say words of Keriyas Shema, but we also put on Tefillin revealing the Divine spirit contained within us and become a walking testimony to Hashem as the Creator of the world.
Good Shabbos
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