of the hand and of the head

Likkutei Halachoth (Hilchot Teffilin 5:25) and Hesed L'Avraham (2:40) both mentioned this idea which I encountered over the past two days in only slightly different forms, so I wanted to share it here. (both paraphrased from memory)

Hesed L'Avraham:
When wearing the Tefillin, the Tefillin on the arm becomes a merkavah (a vehicle) for the revelation of the Shechinah, and the Tefillin on the head becomes a merkavah for the revelation of the Holy One Blessed Be He. (references the Zohar (Ra'aya Mehemna))

Likkutei Halachoth:
The Tefillin of the arm connects and draws down the totality of Bnei Yisrael, the Shechinah, in order to unite her with the Tzaddik, who is drawn down and revealed in his gadlut (greatness)
through the Tefillin of the head.

Comments