THE WORLD NEEDS A MEZUZAH
Eikev
One of the Mitzvos in the second paragraph of the Shema in Parshas Eikev, is the Mitzvah of Mezuzah.
The Mitzvah of Mezuzah is to write the two Parshios of Shema and Vehaya (which both contain the Mitzvah of Mezuzah) and to affix them to the doorposts of our houses and gates.
Whilst we ultimately keep every Mitzvah because it is the Will of Hashem, there are specific Segulos and lessons that are associated with different Mitzvos.
The Tur writes that the Mezuzah, which contains the declaration of Hashem’s oneness (Shema) reminds us constantly of Hashem’s oneness as we leave and enter our homes. This instils awe of Hashem in our hearts so that we will not come to sin.
The Mezuzah also acts as a protective force. Our sages teach that in this regard, Hashem acts unlike an earthly king. The king lives in his palace, with servants to stand outside and guard him. But you, says Hashem, sleep peacefully in your beds while He stands guard outside.
The Ariza”l connects this to the name of Hashem שד-י that is written on the outside of the Mezuzah scroll which forms an acronym for שומר דלתות ישראל, the Guardian of the doors of Yisroel.
These two ideas go hand-in-hand. As a symbol of Hashem’s oneness, the Mezuzah designates the home and everything in it, as belonging to Hashem. This is what brings about Hashem’s Shemira over the home, its contents and its inhabitants.
In a macro sense, the house represents the world. Through our Avodah in making a Dirah Betachtonim, the Jewish people serve as the Mezuzah for the world; revealing the oneness of Hashem and showing how the entire world and everything within it belongs to Hashem. This Avodah, like the Mezuzah on our doors, brings Shemira to the entire world.
Chassidus teaches that the word מזוזה contains the words זו and זה. Both words mean ‘this’, but זו is in the feminine form and זה is in the masculine form. The Mezuzah therefore represents the union of male and female. In the cosmic sense, this refers to the union between Hashem and the Jewish people.
The feminine זו refers to the Jewish people, as alluded to in the Posuk עם זו יצרתי לי “this nation I have created for Myself”. The masculine זה refers to Hashem, as alluded to in the Posuk זה א-לי ואנוהו “this is my G-d and I shall glorify Him”.
In the male-female dynamic, the feminine serves as the Mekabel - the receiver. This refers to Kabbolas Ol, our surrender to Hashem to accept and follow His will completely and unconditionally. The מ at the beginning of the word alludes to the Torah which was given over 40 days.
מזוזה is also made up of the words זז מות meaning to move death away. Hashem is the source of life. When we connect ourselves to Him through our Kabbolas Ol and the study of Torah, this pushes away negativity and death. This is the protection of the Mezuzah.
The Rebbe launched Mivtza Mezuzah, to ensure that every Jewish home has Mezuzos affixed to its doors. It is an opportune time to strengthen our efforts and activities in this regards.
In a broader sense, we need to be the Mezuzah for humanity and the world at large. In these times, we need to strengthen our connection to Hashem and our efforts to reveal the presence and oneness of Hashem in the world around us and to those we come in contact with. In this merit, may Hashem cast His shield of protection over the Jewish people and the entire world, so that we can live in peace and tranquillity.
The Mitzvah of Mezuzah is to write the two Parshios of Shema and Vehaya (which both contain the Mitzvah of Mezuzah) and to affix them to the doorposts of our houses and gates.
Whilst we ultimately keep every Mitzvah because it is the Will of Hashem, there are specific Segulos and lessons that are associated with different Mitzvos.
The Tur writes that the Mezuzah, which contains the declaration of Hashem’s oneness (Shema) reminds us constantly of Hashem’s oneness as we leave and enter our homes. This instils awe of Hashem in our hearts so that we will not come to sin.
The Mezuzah also acts as a protective force. Our sages teach that in this regard, Hashem acts unlike an earthly king. The king lives in his palace, with servants to stand outside and guard him. But you, says Hashem, sleep peacefully in your beds while He stands guard outside.
The Ariza”l connects this to the name of Hashem שד-י that is written on the outside of the Mezuzah scroll which forms an acronym for שומר דלתות ישראל, the Guardian of the doors of Yisroel.
These two ideas go hand-in-hand. As a symbol of Hashem’s oneness, the Mezuzah designates the home and everything in it, as belonging to Hashem. This is what brings about Hashem’s Shemira over the home, its contents and its inhabitants.
In a macro sense, the house represents the world. Through our Avodah in making a Dirah Betachtonim, the Jewish people serve as the Mezuzah for the world; revealing the oneness of Hashem and showing how the entire world and everything within it belongs to Hashem. This Avodah, like the Mezuzah on our doors, brings Shemira to the entire world.
Chassidus teaches that the word מזוזה contains the words זו and זה. Both words mean ‘this’, but זו is in the feminine form and זה is in the masculine form. The Mezuzah therefore represents the union of male and female. In the cosmic sense, this refers to the union between Hashem and the Jewish people.
The feminine זו refers to the Jewish people, as alluded to in the Posuk עם זו יצרתי לי “this nation I have created for Myself”. The masculine זה refers to Hashem, as alluded to in the Posuk זה א-לי ואנוהו “this is my G-d and I shall glorify Him”.
In the male-female dynamic, the feminine serves as the Mekabel - the receiver. This refers to Kabbolas Ol, our surrender to Hashem to accept and follow His will completely and unconditionally. The מ at the beginning of the word alludes to the Torah which was given over 40 days.
מזוזה is also made up of the words זז מות meaning to move death away. Hashem is the source of life. When we connect ourselves to Him through our Kabbolas Ol and the study of Torah, this pushes away negativity and death. This is the protection of the Mezuzah.
The Rebbe launched Mivtza Mezuzah, to ensure that every Jewish home has Mezuzos affixed to its doors. It is an opportune time to strengthen our efforts and activities in this regards.
In a broader sense, we need to be the Mezuzah for humanity and the world at large. In these times, we need to strengthen our connection to Hashem and our efforts to reveal the presence and oneness of Hashem in the world around us and to those we come in contact with. In this merit, may Hashem cast His shield of protection over the Jewish people and the entire world, so that we can live in peace and tranquillity.