Judaism by definition is historical. The story begins with Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov and then continues with Yaakov’s children, describing their descent into Egypt. It is not reasonable to think that the Galut, the Diaspora in Egypt would not affect the lives of Yaakov’s descendants in Egypt. It is also apparent that Moshe, Aharon, and the Elders who attended court visits to the Pharoah saw him in all of his regalia including the Ureaus, whether it was the single Cobra or the combination of the Cobra and the Vulture. Only Pharaoh wore this Ureaus. It was the sign of his unlimited dominion and power. The Cobra signified the Southern Kingdom and the Vulture the Northern Kingdom.
By contrast, every Jewish male age 13 and over wore Tefillin. The Tefillin themselves required the wearer to have humility, fear of heaven, and great seriousness of purpose at the time the Tefilllin were on his arm and head. The Tefillin signified the transformation of a people enslaved for 150 years into a nation of Free Men, servants only to G-d. The Tefillin signified the end of Tyranny and the empowerment of the individual to the highest level of behaviour and holiness. It was apt that the Tefillin be commanded at this time of Freedom, at Har Sinai, fifty days after the leaving of Egypt. It was also apt that they be commanded for all time, to signify the unending continuation of Freedom and Human Dignity in Jewish society and in the entire world.
gparkoff
For the The Reason for the Mitzvot Part I, please click here:
For The Ureaus, click here:
