This week’s parsha is parshas Ki Sisa. In this essay, we will explore the mystical dialogue that ensued between Moshe Rabeinu and HKB”H. Moshe Rabeinu, Yisrael’s preeminent navi, requested (Shemos 33, 18): "הראיני נא את כבודך"—please show me Your glory. HKB”H responded (ibid. 20): "לא תוכל לראות את פני כי לא יראני האדם וחי"—you shall not be able to see My face, for no human can see My face and live. Nevertheless, HKB”H granted part of Moshe’s request by saying to him (ibid. 23): "וראית את אחורי ופני לא יראו"—and you will see My back, but My face may not be seen. They expounded on this passuk in the Gemara (Berachos 7a): "וראית את אחורי, אמר רבי שמעון חסידא, מלמד שהראה הקב"ה למשה קשר של תפילין." “And you will see My back”— Rabbi Shimon Chasida said: This teaches us that HKB”H showed Moshe the knot of (His) tefillin.
This relies on a teaching earlier in the Gemara (ibid. 6a): «מנין שהקדוש ברוך הוא מניח תפילין, שנאמר נשבע ה› בימינו ובזרוע עוזו, בימינו זו תורה, שנאמר מימינו אש דת למו, ובזרוע עוזו אלו תפילין, שנאמר ה› עוז לעמו יתן. ומנין שהתפילין עוז הם לישראל, דכתיב וראו כל עמי הארץ כי שם ה› נקרא עליך ויראו ממך, ותניא רבי אליעזר הגדול אומר אלו תפילין שבראש». From where is it derived that the HKB”H wears tefillin? As it is stated (Yeshayah 62, 8)): “Hashem has sworn by His right hand, and by the arm of His strength.” “His right hand” refers to the Torah, as it is stated (Devarim 33, 2): “From His right hand, a fiery law for His people.” “The arm of His strength,” His left hand, refers to tefillin, as it is stated (Tehillim 29, 11): “The Lord gave strength to His nation.” And from where do we know that tefillin provide strength for Yisrael? As it is written (Devarim 28, 10): “And all the nations of the land shall see that the name of Hashem is called upon you, and they will fear you.” It was taught in a Baraisa: Rabbi Eliezer the Great says: This is a reference to the tefillin worn on the head.
The Gemara proceeds to elaborate and teaches us that the text in the tefillin of HKB”H extols the virtues of Yisrael. For example (Divrei HaYamim I 17, 21): »«ומי כעמך ישראל גוי אחד בארץ—and who is like Your people Yisrael, one nation in the land.”
In this context, Rabbi Shimon Chasida interprets the remark HKB”H made to Moshe: “And you will see My back.” This teaches us that HKB”H showed Moshe the knot of the tefillin on the back of His head, so to speak. The divine poet depicts this scenario as follows (An’eem Zemirot): "קשר תפילין הראה לעניו תמונת ה' לנגד עיניו"—the knot of (His) tefillin He showed to the humble one, the image of Hashem before his eyes. Clearly, this is not to be taken at face value. After all, HKB”H is not a physical being, and His image is beyond human comprehension and perception. Nevertheless, we will try to explain these profound, esoteric issues to the best of our abilities in a manner that will be relevant to each and every one of us.
