Israeli PM and the borrowed Tefilin.

Yom Hazikaron is an emotional day for many of us. Yom Hazikaron, is Israel’s Remembrance Day for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terrorism.

This Year on Yom Hazikaron (Tuesday), Israeli PM Benyamin Netanyahu, amongst many other things, also marked the day by putting on Tefilin. He chose to wear the Tefilin of a special Soldier and hero, Sean Nisim Carmeli, a fighter in Battalion 13 of the Golani Brigade who fell during Operation Protective Edge.

He then shared his feelings  and thoughts, while praying on the solemn and emotional day of Yom Hazikaron. “On Yom Hazikaron, as in previous years, I put on tefillin in memory of one of our heroes who fell for our revival and our freedom… Each time, they belong to a different fighter, a beloved son, a hero of Israel. Each year, a different story. A different heart. An entire world. This year I had the privilege of putting on the tefillin of our hero Sean Carmeli HYD. When I put on his tefillin, I feel the deep connection between the generations. Between a tradition thousands of years old and the heroism of our own time. Between a quiet prayer and an act of self-sacrifice beyond compare.”

But hang on. You may ask, “What does Tefillin do for me? And what does it do for the Jewish people as a whole, including those who do not put on Tefilin?”

Almost as if responding to this very question, the Prime Minister concluded his post with words from the Torah that highlight the power and significance of putting on tefillin.
 ״וְרָאוּ כָּל־עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ כִּי שֵׁם השם נִקְרָא עָלֶיךָ וְיָרְאוּ מִמֶּךָּ״
“And all the nations of the earth will see that the name of Hashem is proclaimed upon you, and they will fear you.”

The Sages explain that this verse refers to putting on the Tefilin. That when Jewish men put on the Tefilin it causes fear amongst the enemies of the Jewish people.

Besides being a Mitzvah (a connection to G-d), like many other Mitzvot, Tefilin also has that special power to bring protection to all of us.

Just as this past week we moved from remembering the heroes and victims of terror, to celebrating the miracle of Israel, we can take a similar lesson into our own lives. When we face challenges or setbacks, we can hold onto the confidence that brighter days, meaningful achievements, and moments of celebration will follow.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Zalman and Esty