יום ג Date: 30 Av, 5774 (8/26/14) – MoedKatan#15 {Eliezer}

Tefillin TRANSFORMERS

[15a middle] Rivta: It is only the first day that a mourner does not wear Tefillin because we cannot take away Tefillin for whole week. It would be too harsh to cut away from Hashem’s connection and his glory for that long.
Rambam: When we wear Tefillin we BECOME different people. We get detailed names such as an Anav (a humble one), and Yirei Shamayim (Heaven fearers). R’ Rosner: We do not wear Tefillin in mourning because (especially on day one) this idea of special significance cannot co-exist with mourning.

E’s Lesson: When we do Mitzvos, we must not just go through the motions. We have to recognize that these spiritual actions are redefining our character and elevating our souls. We must realize our connection to Hashem and the transformations that we should be going through when we are fulfilling G-d’s commandments.