At the end of this weeks Perasha we find two of the four paragraphs which we write on parchment and put into sturdy leather boxes which we call Tefilin. In its Tefilin oriented commandment the first of these paragraphs uses a different syntax than the others.
It should a be sign for you on your hand and a remembrance between your eyes, so that the teachings of G-d will be in your mouth since with a mighty hand G-d took you out of Egypt.Our rabbis of blessed memory have said that the Mitzvah of Tefilin is equal to the entire Torah. (Torah Shelema) I believe that this Mitzvah is similar to tying a thread around your finger to remember something. By donning Tefilin we should remember the concepts which we learn from the Torah. A person who wears Tefilin should find it difficult to steal, yell at his mother, or think licentious thoughts all of which are forbidden and are especially mentioned with regards to wearing Tefilin.
In the Torah is a story about the first man who violated Shabat. There e is a Midrash which remarks that Moshe Rabbienu said to G-d that the man sinned because it was Shabbat when it is forbidden to wear Tefilin. He had no reminder of G-d's presence. Under an Ideal situation which has not yet occurred in Jewsih History it is best to wear Tefilin all day. Some have said that this applies more to those who are working than those who are immersad in Torah Study.
Some might say that it is childish to require a constant reminder but for busy people like ourselves we need secretaries and all types of electronic gadgetry to remind us of what we need to do.
The concepts which are written on the parchments of the Tefilin discuss many topics which are central to a Torah lifestyle. A central theme in the first two paragraphs (in our Perashsa) is the final plague of the death of all of the firstborn which included man and beast. It is pointed out that since the Jewish firstborn were spared they must be redeemed from the sanctity which was then given to them. This demonstrates to us the greatness of G-d who differentiated between Jewish households and Egyptians, he knew which of a set of twins was firstborn and which animal was a firstborn. We use this to demonstrate G-d's providence. G-d can guide us and intervene in any of our plans. Additionally, we see this providence in the Tefilin with a mention of G-d's removing us from slavery in Egypt.
Concepts involving Passover and education of children are also mentioned several times. On Passover we have a special Mitzvoth to tell our children how we were released from bondage in Egypt. Indeed, the subject of education, both for us and our children is recurrent many times in all four paragraphs. Knowledge of the Mitzvoth and all of the concepts in the Torah should be a fundamental part of all of our lives. I have been known to say that Judaism does not thrive on ignorance.
The other two paragraphs inside the Tefilin are from the Shemah Yisrael. In these paragraphs we meet up with concepts of monotheism, love of G-d, education for all, writing Mezuzot, the tremendous rewards in store for us if we love G-d and follow the Torah, the punishment if we don't, and many more.
For those who don Tefilin and think about these concepts it is considered that he was busy studying Torah. (Mechilta)