The text of the Beracha recited over the Misva of Tefillin is "Le’hani’ah Tefillin." The question arises as to why we use the Talmudic term "Tefillin" in the text of the Beracha, rather than the term used by the Humash – "Totafot." Why don’t we recite, "Le’hani’ah Totafot," using the term that appears in the Torah?
The simple answer is that the Torah uses the word "Totafot" specifically in reference to the Tefillin Shel Rosh. Tosafot (commentaries by Medieval French and German Tosafists), in Masechet Menahot (34), explain that the word "Totafot" is actually a combination of two foreign words – "Tat" and "Pat" – each of which means "two." This word thus refers to the four (2+2) compartments of the Tefillin Shel Rosh. The Tefillin Shel Yad, by contrast, has only a single compartment, and thus the term "Totafot" clearly does not include the Shel Yad. Hence, as we recite the Beracha over both aspects of the Misva, we use the more generic term, "Tefillin," which refers to the Shel Yad and the Shel Rosh.
What, then, does the word "Tefillin" mean?
The Ha’ketab Ve’ha’kabbala (Rav Yaakov Tzvi Mecklenberg, Germany, 1785-1865) addresses this question, and after observing that many different interpretations have been offered, he proceeds to offer his own (listen to audio recording for precise citation). He asserts that the word "Tefillin" means "separation" or "distinction," as in the word "Ve’hifla" used in reference to the distinction drawn between the Egyptians and Beneh Yisrael during the Ten Plagues (see Shemot 9:4). When we recite the Beracha over the Tefillin, Ha’ketab Ve’ha’kabbala explains, we are to commit ourselves to the lofty objective of Tefillin – to separate ourselves from improper thoughts and actions, and to avoid being led astray by our eyes and sinful inclinations. After all, he notes, the Tefillin cannot possibly have the desired effect upon a person’s inner being unless he is cognizant of this goal. Some people tie a red string around their finger to remind them of something, but this system is only effective if the person knows when he puts on the string what it is supposed to remind him about. Likewise, the Tefillin will have the effect of reminding us to withdraw from illicit thoughts and conduct only if we contemplate this goal when we put them on, and for this reason we refer to them in the Beracha as "Tefillin," a term which connotes separation and distinction. The Tefillin convey the message that we are to be unique and special, that our conduct and priorities must be different than those of other people, and directed toward the service of our Creator. This is the goal and objective of Tefillin, and this might be the reason why we use specifically the term "Tefillin" in the Beracha, as opposed to the Biblical term "Totafot."
