Tefillin shel Yad

We represent G-d's tefillin. Learned scholars are symbolized by the head-tefillin, which are placed near the mind, the seat of intellect. Conversely, the hand-tefillin represent the simple Jews, who serve G-d by merit of their good deeds and sterling character.

It is important to note that the hand-tefillin are donned before the head-tefillin. This denotes the superior worth of the simple Jew, whose firm faith, unfettered by intellectual achievement, forms a total subjugation to G-d's will. Such unquestioning obedience contains more spiritual worth than all the scholarly achievements of the learned combined.

(Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi)