Several years ago, on a trip to the Holy Land, our group was invited into a Jewish home to break bread together. Something caught my attention; on the doorpost of their entrance was a small rectangle shaped box, something they would touch when they entered. My curiosity and desire to learn caused me to ask our host about it. “What is it?” “Why do you touch it?” I learned the name of this box: a mezuzah. A Mezuzah is of biblical origin: “and you shall inscribe them on the doorpost (mezuzot) of your house.” (Deuteronomy 6:9; 11:20) What is inscribed? “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
Mezuzah has come to refer also to the parchment, or klaf, on which the verses are inscribed. Mezuzah refers as well to the case or container in which the parchment is enclosed. A mezuzah serves two functions: Every time you enter or leave, the mezuzah reminds you that you have a covenant with God; second, the mezuzah serves as a symbol to everyone else that this particular dwelling is constituted as a Jewish household operating by a special set of rules, rituals, and beliefs.
This symbol and what it represents spoke to me, so I purchased a mezuzah to place on a doorpost in our home. It has moved several times with us. Knowing that we share religious roots with our Jewish brothers and sisters and believing that we can share similar practices of the faith, (I have rosary beads I use when praying thanks to our Catholic friends) the practice of touching the mezuzah and reciting the scripture reminds me that when I leave my home, I share a beautiful covenant with God and that my actions matter; they really do! When asked: “What is the greatest commandment, Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Over the years, this practice has come to mean more and more to me; especially in holding myself accountable for how I live. In a world where Christians aren’t always portrayed in the best way, I know I am called to reflect God’s love wherever I go. Am I always able to do that? No, but keeping this practice helps me remember my covenant with God and that I am responsible for loving all of God’s children. My actions matter! Some days are better than others for sure.
Everyone has their own spiritual discipline that centers them; this is one that helps me. Whether you hang a mezuzah on your doorpost or not, you can “write these words on your heart” so that no matter where you go, you too will be reminded of the covenant you have with God, and that we are all responsible for loving our neighbor.
– Rev. Linda Harker, Online Campus Pastor
