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Haven on Earth
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Haven on Earth
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Tephilin - Talpiot - Kodosh Kodoshim.
Levels of vitality endowed in the Torah human stature.
Domim,
silent kind
- under the feet, mineral.
Tzomayach,
growing living cells
- feet and legs, vegetable.
Chayah,
wild, living breathing
- organs, upper body, animals.
Medaber,
moral intelligence, speakers
- face and head.
(See commentary on Adam in Bereishit 1,2)
Neshamah,
the will to speak Torah
- between the eyes.
(See Sidur, intentions on Tephilin.)
Shekhinat El,
Presence of G~d
- above the head, crown.
(See sidur, bedtime prayer.)
'IF I DO NOT REMEMBER THEE, LET MY TONGUE CLEAVE TO THE ROOF OF MY MOUTH; IF I DO NOT SET YERUSHALAYIM ABOVE MY HEAD JOY.' TEHILIM 137.
'GO FORTH, O DAUGHTERS OF TZIYYON, AND BEHOLD KING SHELOMO WITH THE CROWN WITH WHICH HIS MOTHER CROWNED HIM ON THE DAY OF HIS WEDDING, AND ON THE DAY OF THE GLADNESS OF HIS HEART.' SHIR HASHIRIM 3.
'THY NECK IS LIKE THE TOWER OF DAVID BUILT WITH TURRETS, ON WHICH THERE HANG A THOUSAND BUCKLERS, ALL SHIELDS OF MIGHTY MEN.' SHIR HASHIRIM 4.
'AND IT SHALL BE FOR A SIGN TO THEE UPON THY HAND, AND FOR A MEMORIAL BETWEEN THY EYES, THAT THE L~RD'S TORAH MAY BE IN THY MOUTH: FOR WITH A STRONG HAND DID THE L~RD BRING THEE OUT OF MITZRAYIM.' SHEMOT 13.
When the words of Torah describing attributes and instructions of G~dliness are positioned in a certain place, they are ready to come forth, from potentiality to actuality. We place the head tephilin, containing Torah, between the place of rest of His presence, above the head, and the face of moral intelligent speech, the head. While the knot of the head tephilin are positioned at the base of the head, opposite the mouth, on the back of the face, the top of the neck.
The neck is considered to be a small passage for such an important connecting place. The neck is between the workings of the head and the workings of the body, between thought and emotion, and between heaven and earth.
The Sanctuary in Yerushalayim is considered the connection between heaven and earth - the gate of the heaven transcendent and the choosing of place for the Indwelling Presence of G~d on the earth. While the place of the Testimony, the Tablets containing the Ten Commandments, are located in the most Holy Place. Above this is the Keruvim, where, from between them, comes forth prophecy. End.