Loading...The Mezuzah is a small case in which a small hand written scroll of parchment (called a klaf) is placed. The scroll contains the words
of the "Shema Israel" (Deuteronomy 6:4 - 9) passage, in which God commands Jews to keep His words constantly in their minds and in
their hearts and write them on the doorposts of their houses. The scroll also contains a similar passage (Deuteronomy 11:13).
Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your resources. . . . And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
The faithful Jew is to touch it each time upon entering the house or room where it is posted on the doorway. It works as a tool of identity for the Jewish community, and functions sort of like a wedding ring
– a daily reminder of a covenant relationship. It reminds the
occupants of who’s house it is, and who’s family it is that dwells within. So, I think a mezuzah is a fine symbol to keep before us at the beginning of a new year as well. It can serve to remind us, as we pass through this doorway into a new calendar year,
of our covenant relationship to God in Christ, and whose life it is
that we have been living and who’s life we will be living this coming year.
