A Note from Rabbi Woznica:
Many thoughtful words have been conveyed about the pandemic in our Eyes on Wise, so this week I am shifting focus. I invite you to join me on a study of a frequently observed—but often not fully appreciated mitzvah—the mezuzah. It’s my hope that by week’s end, you’ll have greater knowledge of the object on your doorpost and even greater reverence for what it represents.
The Commandment of the Mezuzah
The origin of the commandment to affix the mezuzah is Biblical. “And these words which I command you this day… you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:9)
Mezuzah is the Hebrew word for “doorpost.” And yet, we also refer to the scroll (parchment), placed inside the case, as “mezuzah.”
Having a mezuzah on the entrance to our home is one of the most frequently observed of all the mitzvot. As a reader of these words, there’s a very good chance you have one on your front door. Yet, do you know what is written on the scroll? After all, it’s not the cover of a book that is meaningful but what’s written inside.
For the answer to “what’s written inside,” check tomorrow’s Daily Kavanah.
— Rabbi David Woznica | [email protected]