By COLlive reporter
Photos by Levi Nazarov
Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar hailed the merit of donning Tefillin as a method Jewish men in Moscow can be doing to support Israel’s battle against terror rockets.
Speaking at a gathering in the synagogue of the Marina Roscha Jewish Community Center, Rabbi Lazar called on participants to strengthen themselves spiritually and influence other Jews to do the Mitzvah.
He quoted the words of the sage Rabbi Eliezer who said that Tefillin has the power to frighten the enemy, based on the verse in Devarim 28: “Then all the peoples of the earth will see that the name of the Lord is called upon you, and they will fear you.”
Lubavitchers in Israel are visiting command posts of the Israel Defense Forces, helping soldiers put on Tefillin, as well as citizens in shopping centers around the country.
Rabbi Lazar also mentioned what the 13th century Talmudist Rabbenu Asher (“the Rosh”) said that in merit of the fulfillment of the Mitzvah of Tefillin, the men of war will be punished in their arm and head, as promised to the tribe of Gad in Devarim 33.
The gathering on Sunday began with saying chapters of Tehillim, led by Rabbis Yitzchak Iluvitzky, Mordechai Weisberg and Simcha Garfunkel. Participants also gave charity and took upon themselves good deeds in merit of Israel.
The IDF is currently leading Operation Protective Edge intended to impair Hamas’ capability to attack Israel. Their mission is to target Hamas’ tunnels that cross under the Israel-Gaza border and enable terrorists to infiltrate Israel and carry out attacks.
