The Mezuzah hanging on the doorpost of a house is one of the most identifiably Jewish items that exists. For centuries, across the many countries we’ve been exiled in, the Jews have faithfully hung their Mezuzah scroll on the entrance to their homes. But Why?
Why do we hang a mezuzah? What’s the hidden meaning behind the Mezuzah?
Join me as we explore the basic laws of Mezuzah as well as the deeper kabbalistic essence of it, and you’ll gain a more meaningful understanding of this beautiful mitzvah.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
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Sources:
Deuteronomy 6:9, 11:20, obligation to hang Mezuzahs – https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.6.9?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en, https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.11.20?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Code of Jewish Law, Yoreh Dei’ah 286, all the doorways in your home need a Mezuzah – https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh%2C_Yoreh_De’ah.286.18?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Blessing on Mezuzah – https://www.sefaria.org/Siddur_Ashkenaz%2C_Berachot%2C_Birkhot_Hamitzvot.9?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Sefer HaChinuch, 423, purpose of Mezuzah is to constantly remind us of God – https://www.sefaria.org/Sefer_HaChinukh.423.2?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Exodus 12:7, 13 commandment to place blood on the doorposts in Egypt – https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.12.7?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Mechilta DiRebbi Yishmael, Exodus 12:22, connecting the Mezuzah of paschal lamb to classic mitzvah of Mezuzah – https://www.sefaria.org/Mekhilta_d’Rabbi_Yishmael.12.22.2?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Recanti Deuteronomy 34, Mezuzas is same letters as repelling death – https://www.sefaria.org/Recanati_on_the_Torah%2C_Vaetchanan.34?vhe=Recanati_on_the_Torah&lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Source of Recanti above in Tikkunei Zohar – https://www.sefaria.org/Tikkunei_Zohar.66a.6?vhe=Tikkunei_Zohar&lang=bi
Darkei Moshe quoting Kol Bo, Yoreh Dei’ah 288:3, letters of Shakai stand for protector of the dwellings of Israel – https://www.sefaria.org/Darchei_Moshe%2C_Yoreh_Deah.288.3.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
