All the peoples of the earth will see that the name of Hashem is called upon you, and they will revere you.[2]
Just how is Hashem’s name called upon us? Here are a few thoughts.
When the angel accosted Yehoshua before the battle of Jericho, he identified himself as “the commander of Hashem’s army.” A midrash[3] fleshes this out. “I am the commander of the heavenly army. Wherever I am seen, G-d is seen.” Matnas Kehuna explains that angels have no independence or free-will. They are complete reflections of the Divine will, because there is no room for them to tamper with it. It follows that their Master can be detected in everything they say and do.
Therefore, if we succeed in circumcising our hearts[4] (which Ramban explains means that we will replace our struggled choice between good and evil, with a natural inclination towards good alone), we become like those angels. When people look at us, they will see the Master, rather than mortal beings. They will feel reverence – which is actually for the G-dliness that they sense in us.
This, too, is the meaning of the gemara[5] that applies our pasuk to our head-tefillin, which remain visible for all to see. They represent the strong bond between Hashem and us. Seeing the strength of that connection, others can sense the will of HKBH in us and our actions. They react with reverence.
We can propose a different explanation as well to the way our tefillin inspire awe.
Productive labor can roughly be divided into two categories: manual, and cerebral. In manual labor, our bodies manipulate different items, changing their form or location. In cerebral labor, our minds provide instructions, change designs, and provide services, often without transforming any objects. The former often involve physical strength; none is necessary for the latter.
Between these two lies all human endeavor. They offer the strength of battle and the pride of accomplishment, which are such important themes of human history. But they actually do not tell the entire story. We Jews don tefillin on our arms, stating that we do not depend on their strength to get things done, but on the grace of G-d with Whom we are bound. Furthermore, we consecrate their work to their Master.
Neither, contrary to the views of many, do we build our successes on the famed “Jewish kop.” Whatever lies in it is not of our own achievement, but a tool given to us by Hashem. The head-tefillin signify that our minds mean nothing. It is all Hashem.
We thus proclaim to the world that no human endeavor, neither born of brain nor brawn, will triumph over His plan. As it is stated,[6] “Any weapon fashioned against You shall fail.” When others see how we see our minds as having but trifling importance, they get the message. Everything is about our connection to Him.
They react with reverence.
- Adapted from Divrei Shaul, by Rav Yosef Shaul Nathanson zt”l, the Shoel U-Meishiv ↑
- Devarim 28:10 ↑
- Bereishis Rabbah 97:3 ↑
- Devarim 30:6 ↑
- Berachos 6a ↑
- Yeshayahu 54:17 ↑