Igrot Kodesh · Letter 5761 — General

B"H

24 Elul 5717

Brooklyn

I am responding to your letter, in which you ask me about the tefillin* of Rabbeinu Tam* (note: the recipient missed putting them on one day, an omission he wishes to rectify; see Igros Kodesh, letters no. 4408 and 5709). As explained by various texts, tefillin* in general correspond to the intellect, and those of Rabbeinu Tam* correspond to the conception of words — the attribute of wisdom. According to other references, this attribute of wisdom is specifically linked to the inner, profound teachings of the Torah*. It follows from all this that the rectification of what you describe is twofold:

A) You will establish a fixed study of the laws of tefillin*, since it is said that "whoever studies the laws of a sacrifice is considered as if he had offered it" (note: the Talmudic principle that studying the laws of a mitzvah has the effect of its fulfillment).

B) You will establish an additional study of Chassidus*. And Hashem will grant that both of these points bear fruit.