Is your mezuzah a blessing?

In this week’s Torah portion, we read the first paragraph of the Shema. One of the mitzvot in the Shema is the mitzvah of mezuzah. Mezuzah is a positive mitzvah in the Torah, and our sages teach us that it is also a form of protection.

The Talmud tells us a fascinating story about Onkelus the Convert. Onkelus was a well-respected Roman scholar. He studied the Torah, and converted to Judaism. The emperor sent troops to bring him back to Rome. When they arrived, Onkelus engaged the troops in conversation, and they converted as well. The emperor then sent another group of soldiers. He instructed them not to talk to Onkelus, only to arrest him and bring him back to the emperor. As they were leading him away, Onkelus said, “Normally an official holds a torch for a governor and a governor doesn’t hold a torch for a lower ranking official, but when the Jewish people left Egypt, it says that Hashem lit the way, with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night.” This group then converted as well.

The emperor sent a third group, and ordered them to bring Onkelus at once and not listen to him at all. As they were taking him out of his home, Onkelus put his hand on the mezuzah and said, “Ordinarily a king sits in his palace and the guards protect him from outside. But we sit inside, and Hashem protects us from outside. As it is stated, the Lord shall guard your going out, and your coming in, from now and forever.” (Psalms 121:8).

This group converted as well, and the emperor sent no more soldiers to Onkelus.

The Ari Zal teach us that Hashem’s name on the back of the mezuzah is an acronym for “Shomer daltot Yisrael” (Guardian of the doors of Israel). So, by placing a mezuzah correctly at the doorpost, we invite Hashem’s perception of us.

Obviously, in order to fulfil the mitzvah, the mezuzah must be handwritten on a parchment by an expert scribe. Moreover, over time, the letters can smudge or fade, especially in those that are outdoors or exposed to water and direct sunlight. This being the case, they should be checked every 3.5 years. Some suggest inspecting them more often, particularly in the month of Elul which is soon upon us.

Let’s take great care of this very special mitzvah, and ask that Hashem grant His security.