Dear Keller and happy birthday numero nueve,
Ten is only one year away. Don’t forget! But in the meantime…
I’m wondering if you have ever noticed our mezuzah when you have been at our house. OK, so your first question before “where is it?” is probably “what is a mezuzah?”
My guess is that you have seen it but perhaps you have never SEEN it. So let me tell you what a mezuzah is because you will probably want to get one in a few years since 1/4 of your blood is Jewish blood. Here is more information than you probably want to know… but I think very interesting.
The Hebrew word for “mezuzah” literally means doorpost. Deuteronomy 6:9 instructs God’s people to “write (these words) on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
What are “these words“? It refers back to what is known as the Shema: “Hear o Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One” and includes verses 4-9 of Deuteronomy 6. These go on the front side of the scroll inside the mezuzah.
On the back of the scroll is written the word Shaddai in Hebrew (שדי), one of the names of God. The three letters of this name in Hebrew form an acronym for the Hebrew words Shomer daltot Yisrael, “Guardian of the doorways of Israel.” Mezuzah cases are often decorated with the letter shin (שׁ), because this name of God begins with shin. Note that Hebrew is read from right to left and not left to right. (See the pictures of our mezuzah below)
The tradition in many Jewish homes is to place one’s hand on the mezuzah when passing through the doorway, and then kissing the hand that touched it. This is a way of showing affection for God and His commandments.
One more interesting tidbit that most people don’t know. There was a popular TV show that developed a cult following back in the 1960’s called Star Trek. One of the main characters was named Spock, played by actor Leonard Nimoy – who happened to be Jewish. He was asked to come up with a special Vulcan greeting (he was of a race of people called Vulcans) and he suggested this handsign representing the letter shin – which is the first letter of the Hebrew words shalom, Shaddai , and shekinah. Lots of people know the hand sign and that it came from Star Trek but few know what it actually symbolizes.
Remind me sometime to tell you about the secret code written on the back of the scroll. That seems like something you might be interested in. And the next time you come through our front door take note of the mezuzah on your right and remember that we are a household that seeks to honor the Word of God.
Never forget that you are very loved!
Pop Pop