Am I Jewish enough?
Am I Jewish enough?
Juli Geldner
On my journey to learn and grow with my Judaism, the next question in my #amiJewishenough #jewishenough
series is:
Why do we put a mezuzah on our doorways?
I look forward to Rabbi Glick's response!
Rabbi Adir Glick
For the record, my answer was and is: Of course you are Jewish enough!
I think all of us ask that question at some point or the other, usually because our tradition is so broad and our customs carry many symbolisms.
The fundamental rationale for the mezuzah comes from our most precious prayer, the shema that says: Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all of your soul, and all of your might. And these words that I command you this day, you shall place them on your heart… You shall write them on the mezuzot beitekha uvishaarekha, on the doorposts of your homes and on your gates.
This is what we do – we have a scroll with the shema written on it – and place it on our doorways.
The mezuzah is there as a reminder of ‘these words’, of the Torah, of the shema, of our love for the Creator, with all of our heart, mind, and soul.
It is a visible reminder of our faith. As Judaism has always been, it is not only about us as individuals, but about our families and communities. The mezuzah should be on the door of our homes and on the gates of our communities (ancient cities had defensive walls).
As my father, Rabbi Yoel Glick, says, the mezuzah is there to remind us what our lives are about, and to remember to fill them with meaning and purpose. We should do this every time we pass a doorway. We are in this world for a reason. Our lives are not just a blip in the immensity of the universe and time. But we’ve entered this world to do good and to fill our lives with holiness and meaning.
That commitment gifts us protection. The mezuzah is symbolic of Divine protection and of belonging. We share a kinship with all others who also have a mezuzah on their doorway.
At the moment we are reading the story of the exodus in shul. During the final plague, all those who smeared blood on their doorposts were passed over (Pass-over) by the Angel of Death. We pray to also be protected by the One who does not sleep or slumber. We know nighttime especially is a frightening time. All the more so for people who live in areas where crime is a real danger.
There are many other symbolisms but I will end with one of my favorites from the Hasidic Master, Rebbe Yitzchak of Berditchev. One of God’s names, Shadai, is customarily inscribed on the mezuzah. In Shadai, we find ‘dai’. ‘Dai’ in Hebrew means ‘enough!’ The mezuzah reminds us we have enough and to be contented with our lot in life, as Pirkei Avot exclaims: “Who is rich? One who is content with his lot.”
For the record, my answer was and is: Of course you are Jewish enough!
I think all of us ask that question at some point or the other, usually because our tradition is so broad and our customs carry many symbolisms.
The fundamental rationale for the mezuzah comes from our most precious prayer, the shema that says: Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all of your soul, and all of your might. And these words that I command you this day, you shall place them on your heart… You shall write them on the mezuzot beitekha uvishaarekha, on the doorposts of your homes and on your gates.
This is what we do – we have a scroll with the shema written on it – and place it on our doorways.
The mezuzah is there as a reminder of ‘these words’, of the Torah, of the shema, of our love for the Creator, with all of our heart, mind, and soul.
It is a visible reminder of our faith. As Judaism has always been, it is not only about us as individuals, but about our families and communities. The mezuzah should be on the door of our homes and on the gates of our communities (ancient cities had defensive walls).
As my father, Rabbi Yoel Glick, says, the mezuzah is there to remind us what our lives are about, and to remember to fill them with meaning and purpose. We should do this every time we pass a doorway. We are in this world for a reason. Our lives are not just a blip in the immensity of the universe and time. But we’ve entered this world to do good and to fill our lives with holiness and meaning.
That commitment gifts us protection. The mezuzah is symbolic of Divine protection and of belonging. We share a kinship with all others who also have a mezuzah on their doorway.
At the moment we are reading the story of the exodus in shul. During the final plague, all those who smeared blood on their doorposts were passed over (Pass-over) by the Angel of Death. We pray to also be protected by the One who does not sleep or slumber. We know nighttime especially is a frightening time. All the more so for people who live in areas where crime is a real danger.
There are many other symbolisms but I will end with one of my favorites from the Hasidic Master, Rebbe Yitzchak of Berditchev. One of God’s names, Shadai, is customarily inscribed on the mezuzah. In Shadai, we find ‘dai’. ‘Dai’ in Hebrew means ‘enough!’ The mezuzah reminds us we have enough and to be contented with our lot in life, as Pirkei Avot exclaims: “Who is rich? One who is content with his lot.”
Sun, February 28 2021
16 Adar 5781
Please click here to view the Temple Talks' session from February 21 with
Alan Landay, Ph.D.
speaking about:
A Tale of Two Pandemics:
My research life with HIV and SARS-CoV2
The Har Zion Herald
Browse or download the new online only January/February issue of the Har Zion Herald.
(Interested in visiting a link in the Herald? Just point and click! Anything that looks like a link should work, including all the email addresses.)
✡︎ Click here to browse previous Har Zion Heralds. ✡︎
Celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Alexander Leiderman
Saturday, Feb. 27
at 10 AM
Har Zion Heroes
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Upcoming Events
Click here to see our full calendar.
Services:
Please see our Weekly Services page for further details, including links to download PDF copies of the Siddurim we use.
Friday Night Kabbalat Service
Zoom ID# 230 955 304
Every Friday, 6:30 PM
Saturday Morning Services
Zoom ID# 242 651 284
Shabbat,10 AM
Daily Morning Minyan
Zoom ID# 799 405 500
Monday through Friday, 8-9 AM
Sundays, 9:30-10:15 AM
Other Events:
-
Sunday ,
FebFebruary 28 , 2021
Sunday, Feb 28th 9:00a to 9:30a
Rabbi Glick leads a 30 minute class of Kabbalistic meditation and teaching suitable to all levels. No RSVP needed, however if you would like to be contacted if there are changes to the schedule, please register below. -
Sunday ,
FebFebruary 28 , 2021
Sunday, Feb 28th 10:00a to 11:00a
-
Sunday ,
FebFebruary 28 , 2021
Sunday, Feb 28th 10:30a to 11:30a
-
Sunday ,
FebFebruary 28 , 2021
Sunday, Feb 28th 12:00p to 1:30p
Register to do a Purim Temple Drive Thru of the temple parking lot. Take your picture with the Rabbi and Cantor, Show off your costume, Take the Shushan Frisbee Toss Challenge, Drop off food for local food pantries, Get your Mishloach Manot! -
Monday ,
MarMarch 1 , 2021Jewniversity w/ David Schwartz -ID# 9245-552-6669
Monday, Mar 1st 8:00p to 9:00p
-
Tuesday ,
MarMarch 2 , 2021
Tuesday, Mar 2nd 8:00p to 9:00p
Debra Landay will be giving a virtual presentation on the topic of supporting your child’s developing language, literacy, and cognitive skill development. She will explain how these three elements work together as well as offer fun, practical suggestions to support these skills. Her presentation will also address issues/questions that you may have regarding reading. To that end, when registering, please send us any questions you may have. Registration ensures that you will receive the Zoom link and must be completed by Monday, March 1st. -
Wednesday ,
MarMarch 3 , 2021
Wednesday, Mar 3rd 7:30p to 8:30p
-
Thursday ,
MarMarch 4 , 2021Psalms w/ Rabbi Glick
Thursday, Mar 4th 10:00a to 11:00a
-
Sunday ,
MarMarch 7 , 2021
Sunday, Mar 7th 9:00a to 9:30a
Rabbi Glick leads a 30 minute class of Kabbalistic meditation and teaching suitable to all levels. No RSVP needed, however if you would like to be contacted if there are changes to the schedule, please register below. -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 7 , 2021A talk with author Iris Krasnow Meeting ID: 9642 271 1898
Sunday, Mar 7th 10:30a to 11:30a