The Mezuzah – Unifying the Home, the World, & Creation
For the past 3300 years the mezuzah has been the sign and marker of The Jewish home.
In this week’s Torah portion, G‑d promises that if we place a mezuzah upon our doorposts, our lives, and the lives of our children will be lengthened. Furthermore, we are guaranteed that a home with a mezuzah affixed to it, receives G‑d’s special protection.
What is it about the mezuzah that expresses this G‑d-given potency?
To adequately answer this question, more than one short article would be necessary (click herefor a complete mezuzah guide & anthology) Allow me, however, to share a few themes and messages woven within the magic of the mezuzah.
1) The Mezuzah is placed on a slant. Why?
Because of an old Jewish argument – of course. Our Sages debated the issue of exactly how G‑d wanted the mezuzah positioned. One school of thought maintained that the mezuzah is to be affixed vertically while the other held it should lie horizontally. Therefore, we compromise – we place it diagonally!
Thus, the first lesson we encounter upon entering a Jewish household is compromise. In order for the home to be one of peace and prosperity, its inhabitants must allow another’s existence and opinion into their lives.
Where do we get the power to bend and compromise? The mezuzah itself tells us. It is placed diagonally on the doorpost and always points and faces towards the inside of the home - pointing to our souls. If we scrape away our ego, just a bit, and allow the radiance of our souls to shine through, we can bond and unite as one.
2) The Mezuzah on the doorway/gateway. Why?
The door of a home connects it to the rest of the world. It is here, in the doorway, that the mezuzah plays such an essential role. The bridge between our homes and the influences outside of it is a delicate one. While is it our job to interact with the world around us and have a positive affect upon it, we must be sure to sift out and block any negativity from entering our homes. Our job is to affect - not to be effected.
The mezuzah is the ‘tool’ through which we can connect, improve, and better society, while maintaining the proper balance and equilibrium.
3) The Mezuzah unifies the cosmos. How?
For those of us who are kabbalistically inclined, the numerical value of the word mezuzah is 65, equal to the numerical value of G‑d’s name: Ado-nai. Furthermore, the text of the scroll in a mezuzah is written on 22 lines. It is these 22 lines that connect the 10 spheres of creation (see above figure) bringing G‑d’s presence within every facet of existence and unifying the entire cosmos.
The Jewish People and the land of Israel are now in need of G‑d’s protection and security. We can help by ensuring that our homes have kosher mezuzahs.
If you don’t yet have a mezuzah, would like assistance putting up a mezuzah, or are not sure if your mezuzah is kosher, please call Chabad – we are more than happy to help.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Raleigh Resnick