Increasing in the Mivtzoyim — Tefillin, Sefer Torah, and Tzedakah

Hisvaadiyos 5742, vol. 3, p. 1725.

Lit. “Operation Tefillin.” Prior to the Six Day War, the Rebbe issued a call to widen observance of the mitzvah of wearing tefillin among those who (at that time) did not observe it. Jews worldwide stood in public places urging their brethren to take a few moments to perform this mitzvah. The reasons are explained in the next note.

Devarim 28:10. On Shabbos Parshas Bamidbar, two days before the outbreak of what would come to be known as the Six Day War, the Rebbe issued a call to all his chassidim to begin a widespread tefillin campaign, especially among soldiers of the Israeli army. He based this call upon the teaching of our sages (Berachos, 10a), “All the nations of the world will see that the Name of G‑d is called upon you and they will fear you — this refers to the tefillin worn on the head.” The Rebbe assured that such a widespread awakening in observance of the mitzvah of tefillin would cause terror and confusion to fall upon the enemies of Israel. After the outbreak of the war the Rebbe implored his Chassidim to intensify the campaign. The historical results are famous, and the Rebbe never discontinued this campaign. From the time of the Six Day War until today, literally millions of Jews have performed this mitzvah. As a result of this campaign, tens of thousands of them did so for the very first time. What follows is the translation of an article written then in the Israeli daily newspaper, Ma’ariv, July 31, 1967:

Lubavitcher Rebbe: Wearing Tefillin has Ability to Thwart Enemy

Naftali Kraus

In a special public address delivered during a Chassidic Farbrengen in Chabad’s New York headquarters, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, declared that “Israel’s enemies will be frightened and deterred from harming Israel in the merit of Jews wearing tefillin.”

Relating to the teaching of the sages on the verse, “All the nations of the world will see that the Name of G‑d is called upon you and they will fear you — this refers to the tefillin worn on the head,” the Rebbe pointed out that the battle is not yet over, and only now — after victory on the battlefield — will come the great tumult of deliberations in the UN and the demand that Israel retreat. Therefore, Israel needs the great “deterrent” power of wearing tefillin.

A Line Next to the Western Wall

In response to the Rebbe’s call, residents of Kfar Chabad are going out daily — according to a roster they have established — to the plaza in front of the Western Wall, where they put tefillin on anyone who is interested. It has been reported that most of the time there is a long line stretched before the Chabadniks, who are “working” there from morning until dark. The Chabad Youth Organization has printed a leaflet of encouragement for Israeli soldiers. In it, there is the recommendation that soldiers wear tefillin, “in order to terrify the enemy.” The Rabbinate of the Israeli Army has distributed 100,000 of these leaflets, and in light of the great positive response, they have ordered 10,000 pairs of tefillin to be distributed among the soldiers.

The Chabad Youth Organization has even called upon the Israeli public to turn over any defective tefillin which need repair, and to inform Chabad of anyone who cannot afford to buy himself tefillin — Chabad will provide that person tefillin free of charge.

It is Forbidden to Abandon Territory

In a different address, the Lubavitcher Rebbe stated that the Torah unequivocally forbids the return of even the smallest piece of land which has now been seized by Israel, because of the prohibition of “you shall not ingratiate yourselves to them” [Devarim, 7:2]. When asked why he forbade students learning in Chabad yeshivas to leave Israel — despite the American Embassy’s recommendation to do so — the Rebbe said that whoever abandons the Land of Israel during such a time of danger, transgresses the prohibition of not allowing his cowardliness to demoralize his brethren [Devarim, 20:8].

In the same address, The Rebbe described as a miracle the unity which was manifest in Israel as a result of the Arab threat: “Everyone forgot what ‘party’ or ‘league’ he belonged to, and everyone rose up and was prepared to give his life for the Holy Land and the Holy Nation. If there is any doubt about the matter,” continued the Rebbe, “one need only look at the celebrations at the liberated Western Wall. What did those Jews see in that Wall, to which they clung in tears? An ancient ruin of a wall! If they are looking for beautiful architecture — they will not find it there. And if they want to see an ancient archeological site — there are even older places. Rather,” concluded the Rebbe, “these Jews, in coming to the Wall, forgot about everything and sensed the truth, that this is the remnant of the Holy Temple. And without any other extraneous thoughts they cried there like Jews . . . .The Jewish soul screamed out from its innermost depths that it is impossible to separate itself from the holiness of the Holy Temple.”

On the rapid deployment of the army forces and swift conclusion of such a military action, the Rebbe said that these actions were similar to what was said regarding the Exodus from Egypt [Shemos, 19:4], “And I shall carry you on eagle’s wings,” which describes the swiftness with which the Jews assembled in Egypt, in preparation for the redemption.