On the right doorpost of almost every Jewish home you will find a small rectangular box positioned on a slight angle. This box serves as a reminder to live by God’s commandments.
Everyone can benefit from a spiritual yellow “post-it” note of some sort to remind them to live a spiritual or religious life, and that’s the purpose a mezuzah serves. So, while today I’m writing about a mezuzah, remember that if you aren’t Jewish you want to implement something that fulfills the purpose of the mezuzah in your life. This tradition may come from Judaism, but it works as a practical spiritual tool that can be adapted by anyone from any religion or spiritual tradition to fit their needs.
Jews have a mezuzah on their doorpost because the Torah commands them to affix one on each doorpost of their homes. While some Jews have it just on the front door, others have it on every doorpost outside and inside (with the exception of the bathroom).
Many people think the mezuzah is the actual box on the doorpost. Actually, the mezuzah is the piece of parchment inside the box. On this parchment are two chapters from the Torah written in Hebrew by hand. The parchment is rolled into a scroll, wrapped in paper or plastic, inserted into the box, and affixed to the doorpost.
The essence of the mitzvah, or commandment of the mezuzah revolves around the concept of the Oneness of God. The first verse written on the mezuzah is the Shema, the most important prayer in Judaism, which says, “Hear, oh Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.” When observant Jews pass a doorpost that holds a mezuzah, they touch the mezuzah (or the box that holds the scroll) and remember that God is One. They also remember that God is one with them, and that God asks them to live in a certain manner and by certain laws, or rules. Touching the mezuzah in passing―when leaving the house (or a room) or when arriving back home (or entering a room) also reminds them that the Torah offers instructions for living. It actually tells Jews how to actualize their human potential, how to have good relationships, and how to find happiness, meaning and fulfillment.
With the ritual of touching the mezuzah when going through a doorway, Jews are reminded of these spiritual or religious instructions for living. The mezuzah serves as a permanent post-it note stuck onto the door. It’s a reminder to live a spiritual and/or religious life. It’s a reminder to think about God. It’s a reminder to connect with God. The mezuzah is a bit like God’s writing on the wall saying, “Hey, remember me and my teachings on your way out into the world and your way back into your home. Remember…as you pass from room to room in your home.”
In this way, the Jewish tradition demonstrates how to make Jewish values an everyday part of our lives. However, it’s easy to walk by the mezuzah and not notice it. It’s also easy to walk by, kiss your fingers and touch it–the way Jews traditionally complete the ritual, without thinking about why you do so. Don’t do it by rote. Do it with thought. Don’t look at that yellow post-it note and walk by so quickly that you don’t read the words written on it. If you do, you will have missed the point of the spiritual practice–and the message.
If you aren’t Jewish, find some way to mimic this practical spiritual tool. You could put anything on your doorpost instead of an actual mezuzah–a small ceramic tile, a stenciled flower, a painted symbol, a crystal, or even a yellow post-it note. You might even want to affix a small box with your favorite prayer inside. Then use it in the same manner. Touch it as you go in and out of the house. Put something on each doorpost inside your home as well, and touch these as you move around your house. Have these serve as reminders to connect with the Source and to live a more spiritually attuned life.
If you are Jewish and you have a mezuzah on your door, I suggest you begin touching it as you come and go from your home. Each time, think about the way in which you would like to connect with God and live your life spiritually. Use it as a reminder to connect and to live spiritually. If you haven’t put a mezuzah on your door, do so and begin this practice. It’s so quick and easy. It takes absolutely no extra time. (You can find all the information you need about hanging the mezuzah online; there is a ritual for doing so. Or ask someone at the Judaica shop or temple where you buy the mezuzah to instruct you on the proper way to hang a mezuzah.)
The mezuzah offers one of the quickest, easiest and most effective practical spiritual tools available, and no reason exists for it to remain only a Jewish ritual. It’s way too powerful for that. So today, place something on your doorpost to help you live a more spiritual or religious life.
Photo courtesy of BRBurton23 /pixabay.com
Wow!
Great article –
the funniest thing is that I wrote my posting on mezuzot on May 8 as well:
http://ish-tam.com/blog/?p=14
with the same theme – Practical Torah Spirituality 🙂
Something must have been in the air 🙂
Writing about Blessing the food was on my list 🙂
Was great stumbling upon your site,
keep up the great work!
Ish Tam
We must be synched up! Maybe we should exchange links for our blog rolls? Thanks for reading and keep up the good work.
Pingback: How to live with Mezuzah · Ish Tam Corner
would be glad if you can reffer me to more data on this subject. Flordasaguas22
What data would you like? I have now data…just my thoughts and practices as set forth here.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with all of us! God bless you!
I’m non Jewish and I practically work In Jewish houses pretty much always. A couple of times Im tempted to touch the mezuza. Is it wrong to do that?
I would ask their permission. In general, though, it’s fine if you do it with the same reverence and intention.
Hello,
Thank you for writing this informative and detailed article. I am not Jewish, but I gravitate and appreciate the practice, which comes with a Mezuzah. Today, in particular, I wanted to read even more in depth about it. Your article was spot on. Just the right degree of detail.
Again, thank you so much.
Phoenix
You are welcome, Phoenix. I love this ritual. Did you put one up on your door? And what did you put in it or on it?
You may not be Jewish but I strongly believe that if the Ruach Hakodesh/ Holy Spirit puts it on your heart to do so and calls you back to YAHUAH then you are the seed of Abraham and even a true Israelite. Not just the Jews which are from the House of Judah are from the whole House of Yashra’el but all the rest of the tribes scattered all over the world! So I like you, want to please my FATHER and will put a Mezuzah on my door posts! Great information my friend who wrote this blog, thank you!
I am Jewish. I’m glad the post inspired you to put a mezuzah up.
Thank you for your information. When we bought our house there was a Mezzuza in every doorway. We kept them up but we weren’t sure what they were for. They must be protecting us in some way?
They aren’t protection per se… But they are there to remind you of God as you go in and out.
I recently bought a Mezuzah in a ceramic shop and painted it. I was only looking for advice on where to place it by my door; but this was a wonderful posting. I will definitely place some relevant Bible verses in it, and my husband and I will now both renew our faith as we enter and leave our home. After all, we worship the same God, and as long as we do worship Him, I’m sure he won’t mind!
Perfect! Thanks for sharing. And yes…it’s all the same God.
Thank you. This a beautiful ritual. I’m not Jewish but have seen this often in films such as ‘Schindler’s List’ for example. I have recently been watching ‘Shtisel’ and this prompted me to finally do an internet search. I am now thinking about what to put up which will prompt the same reverence.
God bless.
Let me know what you decide to do!