High Tech Tffillin
Phillip Ratner is obviously using a humorous play- on- words combining the phrase high-tech with the Hebrew word Tefillin (Phylacteries- derived from the ancient classical Greek word for Tefillin). If you are not familiar with what Tefillin are- I suggest that you go to Wikipedia and look under Tefillin for a good idea of what we are dealing with. For more details there are always the many articles in Google.
The Ratner figure has the two boxes of the Tefillin transformed into miniature TV sets which receive the Word of God from the Biblical source. . The traditional boxes house the texts from the Bible. The traditional symbolism is that they are placed on the forehead and the upper arm. These symbolize the two ways of knowing (head) and Doing (doing)—a powerful reminder that we need to do both—Think and Do.
The Tefillin on the arm has a kind of tubing for flowing energy from the arm into the hand.
This is a fascinating idea indeed. In the highly respected Chinese Journal of Medicine (volume 70) the main article establishes that the contact and pressure points that are used with the Tefillin are exactly the same as the Acupuncture points where the needles are inserted in order: to increase spirituality and to purify thoughts. And of course, the head Tefillin is situated on the forehead the site of the sixth Chakra. (See Wikipedia: chakra, for explanations). This is an amazing correlation between these two ancient wisdom traditions. Here Ratner is suggesting a pulsating energy field similar to Chi, Ki, and Prana among other names of the energy of the universe in Oriental culture. For the Star Wars fans -this is also the Force.
Look at the energy flowing into the back of the hand and you can see the Hebrew letter Shin which stands for one of the Biblical names of God- Shaddai.
The figure is a kind of Angelic being. In order to be the Messenger of God and get around the universe he uses Jet like pods that provide the mobility to fly anywhere to do the will of God.
Here, like in all of Ratner’s images, the figure has his eyes closed. There may be a few reasons for this.
One is that he wants to respect and be consistent with the Biblical tradition and the Rabbinic interpretations of the Second of the Decalogue- what we call the Ten Commandments- of not to make images for idol worship. The Rabbis interpret this to mean not to make any image of the full human being. So we do not see the fullness of the human face no open eyes.
There may be another reason as well. Take a look at the Online Etymology Dictionary for the word mystery. You will see that the origin of the word is: from Latin Mysterium, from Greek mysterion, from myein to close, shut. Perhaps referring to the lips (in secrecy) or to the eyes (only initiates were allowed to see the sacred rites)
In the ancient past, much sacred knowledge was kept secret, collected by a master and passed on to deserving disciples-depending on their levels of awareness.
On the head of the figure is a sort of Halo of energy that is reflected in the energy flow of the arm. Like a ring of power.
Perhaps the most authentic graphic symbol of the Jewish tradition is the Spiral.
It is the same spiral graphic that we see of the arm Tefillin that resonates with the many other spiral systems in Judaism such as the Tzitiyot (fringes) of the Tallit (prayer shawl), Payot (ear locks curls), and especially the Torah scroll with the two spirals (Double Spiral) of the parchment. This is likened by some to the fascinating idea that the main metaphor of the Torah is that Torah is likened to a Tree of Life- like the double spiral of the DNA molecule that determines who and what we are in our life. This is also associated with the Tree of Life images of the Sephirot the Spirals of energy as symbols of God’s manifestation in the world.
The prayer that is said when putting on Tefillin has the phrase VeErastich Li Leolam– I will betroth you to Me forever. This is the metaphor of the theme that God and Israel are betrothed one to another forever. The symbol is the wrapping of the Tefillin strap around the fingers like the groom putting the betrothal ring on the finger of his bride. This sacred marriage theme between God and His people is a major metaphor of Judaism.
One can also see that this is like a medical diagnostic tool that takes your blood pressure, temperature, respiration etc. The analogue is taking your bodily diagnosis and your spiritual diagnosis at the same time.
One can imagine that the two TV-like boxes with antennae are not just receiving devices but also sending devices as well. The idea is that the Tefillin not only contain texts with information that just sits there but that also it is transmitted and broadcast to the world.
