In this week's Torah portion, Bo, we read about the mitzvah of Tefillin. In fact, two of the paragraphs from our portion are among the four paragraphs handwritten on parchment by a scribe and contained within the Tefillin boxes. Among the verses are: "These words must also be a sign on your arm and a reminder between your eyes. G-d's Torah will then be on your tongue. It was with a show of strength that G-d brought you out of Egypt."
"Have you put on Tefillin today?" That question has become a standard opening by Chabad-Lubavitch Yeshiva students and volunteers around the world as part of the Rebbe's Tefillin campaign.
In 1967, just prior to the Six Day War, the Rebbe initiated the famous Tefillin Campaign.
At that time, the Rebbe stressed that the fulfillment of the mitzvah of Tefillin, in addition to its essential aspect as a commandment, is especially imperative at this time. It is important not merely for its protective quality as indicated in the Torah, "and they shall fear you" - the fear that is instilled in the hearts of the enemies of Israel as a result of the observance of this mitzvah - but even more so for the Divine strength which the mitzvah of Tefillin bestows upon defenders of Israel to vanquish the enemy in the course of battle.
The Rebbe appealed that each and every male of 13 years and older should observe this mitzvah. He also urged that by every possible means, everyone should spread and foster the observance of this precept among his fellow Jews, particularly those in the Israeli military defence forces, their relatives and friends.
