Tefillin (Phylacteries) Found in Qumran and the Shema
A phylactery or Tefillin case dating back to the first century CE was found in Qumran, Israel. The commandment to wear Tefillin is given in Deuteronomy 6:8 "And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for ornaments between your eyes.
Tefillin consists of two small leather boxes, each containing four Torah sections. One box is placed on the arm across from the heart, and the other on the forehead. The most known text contained in the box is that of the Shema.
Deuteronomy 6:4
Sh'ma Yisrael, Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad.
Hear, O Israel: The L-rd is our G-d; the L-rdis One
You are looking at the highlighted verse containing the Shema, as it appears in a Dead Sea Torah Scroll, and also the ancient Tefillin compared to their modern-day counterparts.
Tefillin Found in Qumran
Credit: Israel Antiquities Authority
Modern-day Tefillin
Photo: AnaRina Kreisman
Dead Sea Scrolls Found in Qumran with the Shema Highlighted
Credit: Israeli Antiquities Authority
Overview
A phylactery or Tefillin case dating back to the first century CE was found in Qumran, Israel. Tefillin consists of two small leather boxes, each containing four Torah sections.
Parchment from Qumran Phylacteries:
“Hear, O Israel, the L-rd our G-d, the L-rd is one. Love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
In the Bible
Hear, O Israel! The L-RD is our G-d, the L-RD is one! You shall love the L-RD your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
"שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה ׀ אֶחָֽד׃
וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔ אֵ֖ת יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ בְּכׇל־לְבָבְךָ֥ וּבְכׇל־נַפְשְׁךָ֖ וּבְכׇל־מְאֹדֶֽךָ."
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