tefillin, what does the bible say?

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Tefillin: Tefillin: What What does does the Bible say? the Bible say? NEHR HAOLAM MESSIANIC BIBLICAL SOCIETY

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A two-page Messianic Jewish article pertaining to what the Scriptures say about tefillin to include a brief excerpt as to whether or not Messianic Jews should don them.

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Page 1: Tefillin, What does the Bible say?

Tefillin:Tefillin: What What doesdoes the Bible say?the Bible say?

NEHR HAOLAM MESSIANIC BIBLICAL SOCIETY

Page 2: Tefillin, What does the Bible say?

For the most part, tefillin are “two small

leather cases containing texts from the He-

brew Scriptures as traditionally worn (on both

the forehead and the left arm) by Jewish men

during the early morning prayer” (http://

www.thefreedictionary.com/tefillin). Though

some may question the validity of donning

tefillin, we do know that Torah teaches per-

taining to its importance which is what this

study entails. According to Torah, the act of

donning tefillin demonstrates that the bearer’s

testimony and his beliefs that יהוה alone is

Elohim (reference Deuteronomy 6:8 & 11:8).

To add, the act of donning tefillin is the bibli-

cal means by which the worshipper may literally bind himself to the Heavenly Father’s

commandments and His testimonies (i.e., The Ten Commandments).

So, does the Bible encourage people to wear tefillin? It does. The Scriptures say,

“Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart” (Proverbs 7:3). By don-

ning tefillin, the worshipper demonstrates that he is a disciple- a person who follows

the Heavenly Father’s disciplines and instructions that are prescribed in Torah

(reference Isaiah 8:16). Hence, the act of donning tefillin demonstrates that the wear-

er’s earnest allegiance is to the Heavenly Father’s testimony, service, and covenant of

Adonai: “Thou shalt fear יהוה thy Elohim; Him shalt thou serve, and to Him shalt thou cleave

(e.g, bind to), and swear by His Name” (Deuteronomy 10:20 cr. John 3:33).

From numerous verses such as the ones mentioned above, the Bible reveals that

the act of donning tefillin is ever present within the commandments embodied in To-

rah. Though Torah does not provide us with the exact details on how to go about

wearing tefillin, it is a biblical practice that the Heavenly Father has given to those

who desire to worship Him in spirit and in truth: “Set Me (e.g., יהוה) as a seal upon thine

heart, as a seal upon thine arm [...]” (Song of songs 8:6, KJV). Therefore, the practice of

donning tefillin fulfills Yeshua’s instruction when he cited, “You shalt love יהוה your

Elohim with all your heart, might, and soul” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Page 3: Tefillin, What does the Bible say?

Donning tefillin is not limited to Old Testament practices. Part of the disciple

making process included the donning of tefillin (reference Isaiah 8:16). In like man-

ner, Yeshua desired for his Jewish followers to teach the nations of the earth this

beautiful enhancement that tefillin manifests within the worshipful lifestyle we call

prayer. Israel’s king once said to his loyal subjects, “Therefore, go and make disciples of

all the [gentile] nations […]” (Matthew 28:19). The New Testament describes this

precious act as Hashem pointing out those who are truly His own special posses-

sion (reference 2 Timothy 2:19). It is in this act of fulfilling Yeshua’s instructio that

those who don tefillin indicate to avenging angels whom not to harm: “They were

told not to hurt the grass or plants or trees but to attack all the people who did not have the seal

of God (i.e., tefillin) on their foreheads” (Revelations 9:4). Those who opt not to wear

tefillin neither distinguish themselves from those who belong to the Heavenly Fa-

ther’s possession and even demonstrate to be in complete disobedience to Elohim:

“The garlands have fallen from our heads. Weep for us because we have sinned

(i.e., violated Torah’s decrees)” (Lamentation 5:16).

The “crown of glory” is another phrase that appears throughout the Bible. This

phrase directly points to the act of donning tefillin. Just as much as the righteous

are rewarded with tefillin, so too the Bible promises that Messiah himself will one

day give Hashem’s disciples tefillin to wear. As far as wearing tefillin is concerned,

Peter once wrote, “[...] when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory

that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:5, NIV).

To those who doubt whether or not donning tefillin is a Messianic principal that

Messiah desire of his loyal subjects, members of the international bod of Messiah

reason that Yeshua himself instructed us to do so and teach others how to don te-

fillin. Hence, the act of donning tefillin is not be a matter of debate; rather, it’s a

matter of personal, sincere worship to the Heavenly Father who created the ex-

panse of the Universe. Those who contend with the issue is simply perceived as an

anathema, a person who opposes the biblical guidelines that are set-forth for us to

discover and follow. Otherwise, this study provided a reference resource by which

followers of Messiah Yeshua can refer to about Tefillin, and what the Bible says

about it.

Page 4: Tefillin, What does the Bible say?

© 2013 BY NEHR HAOLAM PUBLICATIONS

Winslow, New Jersey, USA

All Rights Reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scriptures were taken from the New Living Translation.

For more information, contact [email protected].