Deuteronomy 6:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Due to their frequent forgetfulness of God's blessings, the Lord instructed them to inscribe His wonders on special leaves and attach these to their hands, which is why it is said, "Let them be steadfast before thy eyes." These were known as phylacteries, similar to how many women today wear their scriptures around their necks. They took great care in creating wide straps for these leaves and in broadening the edges of their garments (Matthew 23:5), which highlighted their excessive vanity. Why do you take pride in this outward display? Is this the essence of your righteousness? What benefit will these practices bring if you disregard the lessons they signify? God desires not for you to merely adorn them, but to remember His mercies. If acts of charity and prayer, which necessitate our effort and are truly commendable, do not warrant your praise, why then, O Jew, do you elevate yourself through actions that reveal your neglect?

God revitalized, renewed, and uplifted the disheartened spirit of Israel, prompting them to hold their heads high (Lev. 26:13) and thus compelling them to constantly recall and acknowledge all His blessings. To ensure that the teachings of the law would penetrate their souls deeply, it was commanded that they study the law (Deuteronomy 5:1), to bind its words upon their hands, so that they would remain ever-present before their eyes, and to inscribe them “upon the posts of their houses and on their gates,” as well as on the fringes of their garments. In this way, the Israelites were reminded of the tenets of their faith at every turn, receiving continual instruction, and only through carelessness could they remain oblivious to their covenant, justifications, commandments, and judgments.