Not Just Headaches: Hands 'Suffer' From Disrespecting the Tefillin

As believers, we know that every pain we feel has a reason and a cause, and when we delve deeper, we discover a world of concepts and spiritual explanations for every pain we experience.

In the following series of articles, originally brought by Rabbi Shalom Arush, we aim to touch on the spiritual meaning of things—primarily according to the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, but not exclusively.

Part 2:

Tongue Pain

The tongue is the gateway to speech, and any ailment felt there suggests that a person has stumbled in one of the following sins: gossip, slander, defamation, vulgar speech, idle talk.

The same goes for Mouth Pain, which indicates the quality of speech a person produces. Sources say that speaking ill of the people of Israel is akin to provoking Hashem Himself, and therefore "one's mouth will eventually suffer" (Source, Slander).

Tooth Pain

Indicates cruelty towards animals (Source, Compassion Vol. B, 2) and the wickedness present in a person, for which they are punished. As it is written, 'You broke the teeth of the wicked.'

Nose Pain suggests a person is afflicted with two major traits: anger and the lust for adultery, about which the sages said, "Do not commit adultery – do not benefit your nose."

Those who suffer from Neck Pain should cry over the destruction of the Temple and pray to Hashem to rebuild it quickly (Source, Remedy T).

Hand Pain that a person suffers from suggests a flaw in faith, as it is written 'his hands are faith'. Pain in the right hand indicates a lack of belief in the kindness and goodness of the Creator, and disbelief that everything Hashem does is out of mercy and for one's good. Pain in the left hand indicates a flaw in fear of heaven or that a person is overly strict with others.

Pain in the hands is also equated with the laying of tefillin, and thus serves as a warning sign to a person that they either do not lay tefillin and need to start doing so, or that their method of laying them is improper. Hand pain also hints at the attitude of 'my strength and the might of my hand have produced this wealth for me', hence it's important for a person to self-reflect and see if there is also a flaw in this area.

For the first part of this article, click here