Nadene Goldfoot
There is the custom of having a Mezuzah attached to the doorpost of one's home which is used as another reminder of who lives here, under protection, and their customs. It's a prayer on the door of a Jewish person, hopefully.
The origin of the mezuzah, a small box containing a scroll with prayers, lies in the biblical commandment to "write them on the doorposts of your house and upon your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:9). The mezuzah, literally meaning "doorpost," serves as a reminder of the Jewish covenant with God and a symbol of Jewish identity.
Usually, a rabbi is the one designated to put it on the doorpost for you, When affixing a mezuzah, the right doorpost as you enter the room should be used, approximately shoulder height or slightly higher. The Ashkenazic custom is to angle the mezuzah with the top tilted inward, while Sephardic custom is to place it upright. The mezuzah should be firmly attached, with screws preferred for ease of removal later.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21, known as the Shema, is a core Jewish prayer emphasizing monotheism and the importance of remembering and obeying God's commandments.
In Deuteronomy 6:4, it states, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one." It then emphasizes love for God, instructing the people to keep the commandments in their hearts, teach them to their children, and bind them as signs on their hands and foreheads, writing them on their doorposts and gates.
Deuteronomy 11:13-21 further emphasizes obedience to these commandments, promising blessings for those who hearken to them and serving as a reminder that failing to obey will result in punishment and potential loss of the land.
In normal times, a Jewish person thinks about this: You have now affixed the mezuzahs. Your home proudly displays its Jewish identity, and you've tapped into this unique spiritual connection. But today, with anti-Semitism running into our daily life, one might think twice about their protection.
The Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, experienced an anti-Semite attack on his home shortly after the 2nd Seder this year when he had many guests at his home for it. They burned the inside of the large room that held the seder. Luckily, no one was hurt. The anti-Semite blamed him for Gaza since he was a Jew. That was his reasoning this act, truly a sick person without any logic, but nevertheless, many people are thinking like him who seem to be normal otherwise.
Pennsylvania governor Shapiro quotes Priestly Blessing, emphasizes message of religious tolerance, but says New York senator’s demand for civil rights investigation ASAP isn’t ‘helpful’ He is against Schumer's call for a hate probe.
He also revealed that the family had found solace when a fire chaplain recited the Jewish Priestly Blessing for them. “It’s a prayer we recite in Hebrew for our kids. It’s from the Book of Numbers: ‘The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace.’ That’s a prayer and a hope that we have for our kids every day, that they have peace in their lives,” Shapiro said. “Obviously, that peace was shattered on Sunday morning, but it is a hope and a prayer that we have, not just for our kids, but every child across Pennsylvania that they live in a society that’s free and peaceful where they are protected and they are watched over by God.”
But you're not finished yet. The mezuzah is a holy object that must be properly maintained.
At least twice in seven years, we take down our mezuzahs and have them professionally checked to ascertain that they are intact. The scribe examines the scrolls to ensure that no letters have been cracked or erased and that the mezuzah is still good. Our vigilance keeps our mezuzahs performing their function: bringing holiness, protection and merit to our home.
After a man tried to assassinate Donald Trump in July at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the state’s Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro, quickly issued a statement condemning the attempt on the Republican presidential candidate’s life.“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,” Shapiro posted on X that day. “It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States. I have been briefed on the situation. @PAStatePolice are on the scene in Butler County and working with our federal and local partners.”
Yet three days after an arson attack on Shapiro’s residence in Harrisburg on Sunday, Trump still has not called Shapiro or weighed in significantly to condemn the violence. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Do other people use G-d in protecting their homes? Yes, many Catholics use God in protecting their homes through various practices, including prayer, displaying religious images, blessing the home, and using sacramentals like holy water. These practices are seen as ways to seek divine protection and create a holy environment. Praying for protection is a common practice, with many Catholics praying specific prayers for the home and its occupants. Sacramentals :Holy water, crosses, and statues of religious figures are used as tangible signs of faith and are believed to provide spiritual protection. Blessing the Home: Some Catholics have their homes blessed by a priest, while others may bless their own homes using prayers and holy water. Displays: Displaying religious images, like the Sacred Heart of Jesus or crosses, is seen as a way to invoke God's presence and protection.
Having a custom such as ours with the mezuzah just makes me feel good; not alone.
Meshuganas (crazy people) have always been with us since the beginning of time, so that is
why we need the extra protection from HaShem.(the name). Practices such as customs arrive
in our culture when we have the need; and I think this one is here to stay, ever since Moses
said it, so is it written, almost in 1200 BCE, about 3,000 years ago.
Resource:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/gov-josh-shapiro-trump-arson-attack-rcna200907
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/mezuzah/#:~:text=Mezuza
h%20is%20of%20biblical%20origin,the%20traditional%20Jewish%20dietary%20laws.
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/278460/jewish/How-to-Hang-a-Mezuzah.htm
https://www.timesofisrael.com/josh-shapiro-recalls-arson-attack-declines-to-back-
https://acatholicmomslife.com/spiritual-protection-for-the-catholic-home/
