2862 —תפילין, חיילים, וברכת הרבי לשיבה בטוחה

B"H, 18 Menachem Av, 5714.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Your request for a blessing on behalf of your son who is in the army has been received... I will mention him at an auspicious time at the Ohel that may Hashem protect him wherever he is and that he should return home safely in due time.

Certainly you will explain to your son that in order to draw down and receive the blessings of Hashem one must create channels and vessels for this—this is the conduct according to Torah and its mitzvos. Even while in the army it is possible to behave according to Torah, consistent with the democratic approach of this country. Below are listed articles on this subject which would be worthwhile for your son to read.

In particular, it is necessary to engrave upon your son's heart the obligation to put on Tefillin every day—which takes only a few moments—and if it is not possible to do so in the morning, its time extends throughout the entire day. Besides being a personal obligation, there is a special segulah in the mitzvah of Tefillin to protect our Jewish brethren in the army. As is known from the last war: all those who turned to my revered father-in-law the Rebbe (ztzokel l'havdil nishmaso b'gan eden zechuso yagen aleinu) for a blessing and kept his instruction to put on Tefillin every day returned home safely.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that fulfilling mitzvos—especially daily Tefillin—creates spiritual protection and channels for Divine blessing. He highlights that soldiers who observed this practice with faith returned home safely.