והיה לך לאות על ידך - בגימטריא זרֹ ע שמאל
This alludes to the concept of putting the arm Tefillin on your “left” arm.
תורת ה' בפיך - בגימטריא זהו קריאת שמע
This alludes to the law to say a minimum of Shema Yisrael while wearing Tefillin.
וקשרתם אותם
implies a constant binding
בפיך
What goes in your mouth must come from a Kosher source, so too the parchment on which the four portions of the Torah that are placed in the Tefillin must come from Kosher animals.
והיו לטוטפות בין עיניך
The word והיו is plural indicating that the head Tefillin should be worn when both the hand and head Tefillin are worn. Thus, the head Tefillin is removed prior to removal of the hand Tefillin.
Tefillin and the wings of the dove:
- When one wears Tefillin and focuses on Hashem, he merits HaShem’s protection.
- Doves do not fight with their beaks like other birds but protected themselves from predators with their wings by staying in flight (and not resting unprotected on the ground). They have the ability to rest one wing at a time, while staying airborne with the other wing (Tosfos). Similarly, when the Jews are not performing one Mitzvah, they can perform another mitzvah. Elisha only took off his head Tefillin, but keep on his arm Tefillin (probably covered by his clothing). Even when forced to stop one mitzvah, he “flew” with another mitzvah.
- Ritva says this story is the source of manner in which we wrap our head Tefillin. We wrap the straps of the head Tefillin around either side of the Tefillin like the shape of “wings of a dove.”
Removal of Tefillin:
Shulchan Aruch establishes the standard that one does not remove one’s Tefillin until after the Complete (Tiskabel) Kaddish after U’Vo L’Tzion. Kaballah mentions that this point in the communal morning prayers is after three sets of Kedusha (three-fold repeat of Kodesh in the first blessing of Shema; repetition by the Chazon of Amidah; and once again in U’Vo L’Tzion), and after the four recitations of Kaddish (after Korbanos, after Yishtabach, after repetition of Amidah/Tachanun, and the Complete Kaddish). This concept of three and four are alluded by the three-headed and four-headed Shin on the head Tefillin; and by the three Avos (written tradition) and the four Imos (oral tradition).
Respectful Removal of Tefillin:
Sanhedrin 101b: What does it mean that Yerovam raised his hand to King Shlomo? (Melachim I;11,26)
(Rav Nachman): He removed his Tefillin in front of Shlomo.
Rashi: When one removes the Tefillin from his head, the head is temporarily bare. This is considered disrespectful to the King to appear with an uncovered head.
Rashi: Alternatively, Yerovam raised his hand (to remove the Tefillin), an act of assault to the King (either a physical or symbolic act).
Yad Ramah: Yerovam needed to relieve himself. Out of respect he should have left the room and then removed his Tefillin. Rather Yerovam removed his Tefillin in front of the King revealing what he needed to do, while displaying contempt for the King.
Therefore, out of respect for the Sefer Torah, one does not remove the head Tefillin directly in sight of the Sefer Torah. One who needs to remove the head Tefillin should move to the side (a distance away and not facing the Sefer Torah).
Micah 2,3: “and their king (referring to the Sefer Torah) passed before them and HaShem was on their head (referring to Tefillin).”
