THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Cyril. The path that guides us toward it is profoundly expansive. As it is stated, ‘Thy commandment is immensely vast’ (Psalm 118:96); I believe that mastery in all matters can only be obtained through the law, which is given to assist us, as the prophetic declaration reveals (Isaiah 8:20). Thus, prompting us to constantly remember what has been established, the Lawgiver instructs: ‘Put these words of Mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign upon your hand, and let them be as frontlets between your eyes; and teach them to your sons, speaking of them when you sit in your hou
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se, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up; and write them on the doorposts of your house, and on your gates, that as many days may be your days, and the days of your children, in that land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give, as many days as the heavens shall be over the earth’ (Deut. 11:18-21). The significance of ‘I will bind them upon your hands’ is clearly illustrated in the book of Numbers. It is written, ‘And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying: Speak unto the children of Israel, and instruct them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the edges of their garments throughout their generations, and in the tassels which are on the edges they shall put threads of blue; that ye may look upon them and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them, and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which lead you to whoredom: that ye may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy unto your God. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord your God’ (Num. 15:37-41). Thus, having wisely commanded from the beginning that we inscribe the law in our hearts, He, aware of the weight of mental affliction, mandates that the commandments be written, so to speak, on a tablet, on the doorposts; additionally, He deems it fitting that the writings bearing the law and revelation be placed upon the right hand. Moreover, He considers it beneficial that tassels and threads of the color jachon hang from the garments themselves.
Palladius. But how can tassels and jachon-colored threads serve as reminders of the Divine laws?
Cyril. Do you not recognize that the ancient law was expressed in mysteries and inscribed in shadows?
Palladius. I acknowledge that.
Cyril. The fact that jachon threads are attached to the hands and arms suggests that we should focus on heavenly matters and recall the laws from above. For the Indian perspective associates the jachon stone with an ethereal essence, a blend of light and darkness, with depths akin to water, giving it an appearance of tremulous flow. Thus, the law intentionally ordains that jachon threads should adorn both garments and hands, implying: ‘Let the law be for you a garment of the mind and an attire of the intellect, a guide from heaven, and a determiner of righteous actions! For the hand symbolizes action; and deeds are lawful, undoubtedly exempt from reproach and not belonging to the realm of wickedness. Therefore, the Pharisees expanded ‘their phylacteries and enlarged the borders of their garments’ (Matthew 23:5), that is, they magnified the records associated with their right hands. Yet, Christ mocked them for doing this out of servitude rather than for the purpose of remembering the law. Thus, while keeping the law, it is indeed feasible to engage in wrongdoing if one misapplies the law. Solomon spoke of this when he advised, ‘Do not be overly righteous, nor make yourself too wise; why should you destroy yourself?’ (Ecclesiastes 7:16). Therefore, it is essential to engrave the Divine commandment in the heart and mind; the advantage of which is made evident by David, who proclaimed of the righteous, ‘The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide’ (Psalms 36:31). It is quite clear that a person in whom the Divine law resides in the mind will be well-grounded and steadfast in virtue.
Palladius. Indeed, that is perfectly true.