What’s On Your doorpost? I ask that because so many of us hang up a mezuzah at our home and then forget about it. For some – it’s above our heads, for others, we know that we hang it up because we are Jewish and are supposed to… and that’s that. We occasionally see people touching it and kissing their hand as they walk into a house. But that’s so silly, kind of superstitious, right ? Or is it?
So, What Exactly is a Mezuzah? Mezuzah, the word, means doorpost, and comes from the Hebrew root letters: zayin, vav, zayin – meaning movement or motion. Commonly, a mezuzah is a small box that is placed on every right doorpost of a Jewish home (excluding bathrooms or small closets). Inside the box is a parchment scroll with verses from the Torah inscribed on it, including the Shema prayer (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21). The concept of a mezuzah comes from the Torah, where we read the VeAhavta prayer which includes: “And you shall inscribe them on the doorposts (mezuzot) of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:9, 11:20).
The mezuzah is affixed in a slightly slanted position with the top pointed to the inside of the room. The box that holds the scroll can be decorated in a variety of ways, and often has a Hebrew letter shin on it, which is the first letter of one of G-d’s names, Shaddai.
Some people believe that the mezuzah provides special protection over the residents of the home where it hangs, and when they pass by a mezuzah some people have the custom of kissing it (usually touching the mezuzah with their hand, then kissing their hand). This connects to these words from the Book of Psalms 121:8: “G-d will guard your going and coming from now and for all time.” It is a mitzvah to attach a mezuzah and signifies the sanctity and blessing of a Jewish home. A mezuzah, however, is not an amulet in any way and Maimonides specifically writes that to treat the mezuzah as such totally degrades the mitzvah.
There’s a Mezuzah Story? …. Of course, there is a Mezuzah Story! From the Jerusalem Talmud, the story goes that the Parthian King once sent a priceless jewel to Rabbi Judah the Prince (135 ce-220 ce). Rabbi Judah was the compiler of the Mishna and one of the wealthiest Jews at the time. The Rabbi’s return gift to the King was a mezuzah. The King’s reply was, “I sent you something priceless and you sent me something that can be bought at a paltry sum!” The Rabbi answered: “You sent me something that I must have a guard to watch, and I sent you something that will watch over you!”
The Relevancy of a Mezuzah as we approach the High Holidays: I strongly believe in the following words: PRAY as if everything depends upon G-d, and ACT as if everything depends on you.” I also strongly believe in the following words – paraphrased – from the Shema and VeAhavta prayers which are lovingly placed inside the mezuzah: Love G-d with all of your heart. If we care about the commandments, then we will know wrong from right, we will know how to be kind, we will know how to be good to others, we will know to be good to our parents, we will always remember, the mitzvot and they will be written in our mezuzot of our homes and upon our gates. We will teach them faithfully to our children and think of the words of the VeAhavtah when we wake up in the morning and when we go to sleep at night. G-d will always be in our hearts, and we will be a better people.
To help set the tone for the High Holiday period, taking personal stock of the past year, and thinking about doing better in the year ahead is a common practice in the Jewish community. The month of Elul preceding Rosh HaShanah is meant to be used as a time for introspection and reflection. What better way to start than to connect to the magnificent meaning and love of the Shema and VeAhavta prayers and be thankful for the many, many blessings that we have by CONNECTING TO YOUR MEZUZAH. We want what we bring into our homes to be beautiful, and safe, and pure – and this helps us do that. So, if you have a mezuzah – check on it, notice it, think about it – perhaps engage in the tradition of touch and kiss. If you do not have a mezuzah, perhaps contemplate purchasing one – so you can begin to connect with this wonderful and time-honored Jewish tradition.
For more information about Mezuzot: Jewish Ritual Objects: A Guide | My Jewish Learning https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/mezuzah/
Shanah Tovah U’Metukah –
A Sweet and Happy New Year – 5784, to all!
Risa Strauss