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Deuteronomy 11:18 - Words bound to heart and hand

Deuteronomy 11:18 - דברים 11:18

Hebrew Text

וְשַׂמְתֶּם אֶת־דְּבָרַי אֵלֶּה עַל־לְבַבְכֶם וְעַל־נַפְשְׁכֶם וּקְשַׁרְתֶּם אֹתָם לְאוֹת עַל־יֶדְכֶם וְהָיוּ לְטוֹטָפֹת בֵּין עֵינֵיכֶם׃

English Translation

And you shall lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they will be as frontlets between your eyes.

Transliteration

Vesamtem et-devarai eleh al-levavchem ve'al-nafsh'chem ukshartem otam le'ot al-yedchem vehayu letotafot bein eineichem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְשַׂמְתֶּם֙ אֶת־דְּבָרַ֣י אֵ֔לֶּה עַל־לְבַבְכֶ֖ם וְעַֽל־נַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם וּקְשַׁרְתֶּ֨ם אֹתָ֤ם לְאוֹת֙ עַל־יֶדְכֶ֔ם וְהָי֥וּ לְטוֹטָפֹ֖ת בֵּ֥ין עֵינֵיכֶֽם׃
וְשַׂמְתֶּם֙ אֶת־דְּבָרַ֣י אֵ֔לֶּה עַל־לְבַבְכֶ֖ם וְעַֽל־נַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם וּקְשַׁרְתֶּ֨ם אֹתָ֤ם לְאוֹת֙ עַל־יֶדְכֶ֔ם וְהָי֥וּ לְטוֹטָפֹ֖ת בֵּ֥ין עֵינֵיכֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Literal and Symbolic Meaning

The verse (Devarim 11:18) commands the Jewish people to internalize the words of Torah in both heart and soul, as well as to physically bind them as a sign on the hand and as frontlets between the eyes. Rashi explains that this refers to the mitzvah of tefillin, where the words of Torah are written on parchment and placed in leather boxes worn on the arm and head. The Rambam (Hilchot Tefillin 4:25) emphasizes that the mitzvah serves as a constant reminder of Hashem's unity and our commitment to His commandments.

Internalizing Torah

The phrase "וְשַׂמְתֶּם אֶת־דְּבָרַי אֵלֶּה עַל־לְבַבְכֶם וְעַל־נַפְשְׁכֶם" ("And you shall lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul") teaches that Torah must not only be studied but deeply internalized. The Sforno explains that the heart represents intellectual understanding, while the soul refers to emotional and spiritual attachment. True Torah observance requires both knowledge and heartfelt devotion.

The Mitzvah of Tefillin

The latter part of the verse instructs binding the words as a sign on the hand and as frontlets between the eyes. The Talmud (Menachot 34b) discusses the details of how tefillin must be written, assembled, and worn. The tefillin shel yad (hand tefillin) symbolizes action, placed near the heart to align one's deeds with Torah, while the tefillin shel rosh (head tefillin) represents thought, placed between the eyes to sanctify one's intellect.

Spiritual Significance

The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 11:18) teaches that wearing tefillin demonstrates our subjugation to Hashem’s will. The term "טוֹטָפֹת" (frontlets) is interpreted by Rashi as a word meaning "witnesses," as tefillin serve as a testimony to our faith. The Ramban adds that the physical act of wearing tefillin helps shape our spiritual identity, ensuring that our thoughts and actions remain aligned with Torah values.

Practical Halachic Considerations

  • The tefillin shel yad is placed on the weaker arm (left for right-handed individuals) to signify that even our natural inclinations must be directed toward divine service (Rambam, Hilchot Tefillin 4:5).
  • The tefillin shel rosh must sit above the hairline, between the eyes, symbolizing that Torah wisdom should guide our perspective (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 27:10).
  • The parchments contain four Torah passages (Shemot 13:1-10, 11-16; Devarim 6:4-9, 11:13-21), emphasizing key principles of faith, including the Exodus and Hashem’s unity.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 13b
The verse is discussed in relation to the commandment of reciting the Shema and the proper intention required when fulfilling this mitzvah.
📖 Menachot 34b
The verse is referenced in the context of the laws concerning the tefillin, specifically the requirement to bind them on the hand and as frontlets between the eyes.
📖 Kiddushin 30a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the importance of Torah study and the mitzvot, emphasizing the need to internalize and physically manifest one's commitment to them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 11:18 mean in simple terms?
A: Deuteronomy 11:18 instructs the Jewish people to internalize G-d's words—keeping them in their hearts and souls—and to physically bind them as a sign on their hands and between their eyes. This verse is the basis for the mitzvah (commandment) of wearing tefillin (phylacteries), which contain Torah verses and serve as a constant reminder of our connection to G-d and His commandments.
Q: Why is wearing tefillin important according to this verse?
A: Wearing tefillin is a direct fulfillment of the commandment in Deuteronomy 11:18. The Rambam (Maimonides) explains in his Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Tefillin) that tefillin serve as a physical and spiritual reminder of our commitment to G-d. By binding them on the arm (near the heart) and head (between the eyes), we symbolically dedicate our actions, emotions, and intellect to serving G-d.
Q: What does 'bind them for a sign upon your hand' refer to?
A: The phrase 'bind them for a sign upon your hand' refers to the tefillin shel yad (hand tefillin), which is placed on the weaker arm (usually the left arm for right-handed people). Rashi explains that this placement symbolizes subjugating one's physical actions to G-d's will, as the heart represents emotions and the hand represents deeds.
Q: What are the 'frontlets between your eyes' mentioned in this verse?
A: The 'frontlets between your eyes' refer to the tefillin shel rosh (head tefillin), which is placed above the forehead. The Talmud (Menachot 36b) teaches that this placement signifies dedicating one's thoughts and intellect to G-d. The term 'totafot' (frontlets) is interpreted by the Sages as a reminder to always keep Torah wisdom at the forefront of our minds.
Q: How does this verse apply to daily Jewish life today?
A: This verse applies today through the daily mitzvah of wearing tefillin during morning prayers (Shacharit), as observed by Jewish men from the age of bar mitzvah. The Sefer HaChinuch (a classic work on the 613 commandments) explains that tefillin help strengthen faith and mindfulness of G-d throughout the day. By fulfilling this commandment, we connect physically and spiritually to the words of the Torah.