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What are Tefillin?

Tefillin is the Hebrew word for the Greek "phylacteries", and tefillin comes from the Hebrew root word for "prayer". Four scriptures, two from Exodus and two from Deuteronomy, are scribed on long strips of parchment, rolled, and inserted into small black boxes called "houses". These boxes have long black leather straps which allow one to bind the boxes and their scriptures to the head and to the hand. The four scriptures within are four of the well known scriptures containing G-d's commandment to "let [My words] be a sign upon your hand and as frontlets between your eyes." The wearer usually dons the tefillin for the purpose of prayer and meditation, although some wear tefillin on other occasions.

The tefillin boxes and straps are filled with awesome symbolism in their structure and shape alone; even the tying of the knots represents the character and name of G-d. In binding the tefillin to the hand and head, a person physically renews his/her commitment to serve the L-rd, recalling that we are now freed from bondage to sin and death. Binding the tefillin to head and hand actually reminds us to place our mind and actions (strength) under His lordship. The number of the beast being applied to the head and hand of its followers (found in the book of the Revelation) is an attestation to the spiritual effects of the practice -- whether in a G-dly obedience, as in tefillin, or in perversion, as in the number of the beast. Yeshua stated that one should do (wear tefillin) as the Pharisees commanded, but not in the manner in which they did (in arrogance or callousness of heart).