“When I lay tefillin in the morning, I feel focused, alert, and steady—as if I’m leaving the house with armor. The people of Israel live.”
By United with Israel Staff
Actor and comedian Michael Rapaport has become one of Israel’s most outspoken defenders since the October 7 attacks, sharing a personal reflection on his renewed connection to Judaism on X.
The 54-year-old New Yorker posted a photo of himself donning tefillin on Monday, alongside a message about the spiritual growth he has experienced over the past two years.
“I started wrapping tefillin about two years ago,” Rapaport wrote. “I didn’t grow up doing it. I didn’t grow up understanding it. And to be totally honest – when I’d see guys in NYC doing it on the street or outside a bagel shop or in the park, I thought it looked weird. I didn’t get it. I didn’t understand the beauty or the meaning.”
He described the impact the practice has had on him, saying, “But now? Now when I wrap tefillin, especially first thing in the morning, it hits me in my chest. It centers me. It charges me. It makes me feel focused, grounded, and armed – not with weapons, but with purpose, discipline, and identity.”
Rapaport also wrote, “When I lay tefillin in the morning, I feel focused, alert, and steady—as if I’m leaving the house with armor. The people of Israel live.”
In addition to his spiritual journey, Rapaport has been a vocal supporter of Israel. He has consistently emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself and condemned Hamas for its attacks, connecting his advocacy to the broader Jewish-American community.
His trips to Israel, including a visit to Kibbutz Be’eri in November 2023, allowed him to witness firsthand the destruction caused by Hamas, further strengthening his public support for the country.
Since October 7, Rapaport’s deepened connection to his faith and his advocacy for Israel have become central themes in his public life, underscoring how his spiritual and cultural identity shape his activism.
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