The article “It’s A Wrap: Tefillin’s Good For Your Heart” (Oct. 19) is laughable on multiple levels.
Firstly, it is obvious from the accompanying picture that Dr. Rubinstein and the photo editor who allowed the picture to get into print have no clue about how tefillin is worn. The tefillin is still in the protective box! Anyone who wears tefillin knows that they must be removed from their boxes and directly worn on the bicep and head. Not to mention that it appears that Dr. Rubinstein is not wearing a kippa, the minimal respect he should have for the mitzvah.
Secondly, since when has a universe of 20 been statistically valid for getting a study into the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology?
Lastly, the reference to some Orthodox feminist women wearing tefillin was a cheap shot and unworthy.
From the conclusions, you might get the same benefits from tying string around your extremities.
Needless to say, I got a chuckle from the article.
From a daily tefillin wearer since my bar mitzvah, 54 years ago.
Manhattan
