Community Magazine January 2012

Dear Mezuzot Without Microbes, Your concern over a custom that might seem insignificant to others, actually involves one of the most fundamental topics in Judaism. The section in the Torah where the missva of mezuzah is mentioned (Devarim 6:4) begins with Moshe Rabbenu proclaiming Hashem as the single source of all existence (the Shema prayer), and is followed immediately by the commandment to love Him with all our heart (in practical terms this means continuously promoting our recognition of His attributes, thereby enhancing our admiration for Him). This section concludes with the commandment to set these ideas near our hearts and minds – in the form of tefillin, and to post them on our doorposts and gateways – in the form of a mezuzah. Thus, one of the most essential purposes of the mezuzah is to continuously remind us of our subjugation to Hashem’s service and our love for Him. On this basis, our sages concluded that the missva of mezuzah assists us in our observance of all the other missvot, and protects us from sin (Menahot 43b, Sefer Ha’hinuch 421). The practice of kissing the mezuzah is not spoken about in the Torah itself or by Maran (Rabbi Yosef Karo) in the Shulhan Aruch, but it is mentioned by the great kabbalist the Arizal (Rabbi Yitzhak Luria), and cited in his name by the Hida (Rabbi Haim Yosef David Azoulay) in his work Birke Yosef. The Arizal taught that one should touch the mezuzah and then kiss his finger, and pray to Hashem that he be protected from the negative thrusts of the yesser hara. As we all know, the practice of kissing the mezuzah, which is mentioned only in the later sources, has become widely accepted, whereas the more fundamental requirement of reminding ourselves of the mezuzah’s message, along with its accompanying prayers – sourced in the Torah itself – demands some extra effort and has thus not earned such widespread adherence. Now, although any authentic Jewish custom is given great importance, health issues are taken very seriously, as well. After discussing this issue with a medical expert, it was determined that yes, there are likely to be germs on the mezuzah – much in the same way that there are germs on a doorknob. Yet, keeping in mind the span of time through which this custom has been practiced without any recorded pandemics, it would seem plausible to believe that kissing a mezuzah does not represent a significant hazard. For those who are concerned however, a practical suggestion would be to touch the mezuzah with the back of your hand and then kiss the front of your fingers. This would minimize any contact with the germs of others. But none of this should distract us from the main purpose of the mezuzah – to remind us of the fundamental ideas written within it. May the merit of our scrupulous adherence to this precious missva guard us from sin, and bestow upon us and our children the blessing of longevity, as reward for this missva, alluded to in the Torah (see Tur Yoreh De’ah chapter 285). With Torah blessings and warm wishes, Rabbi Yechiel Elbaz Dear Rabbi, Some people I know have stopped kissing the mezuzah – especially those in shul or in public places outside of their homes – because they feel that after being touched so many times, there may be germs on the mezuzah boxes. When you think about it, putting your hand on a box that has been touched by thousands of others and then kissing that hand, seems like an unsanitary practice. Is it acceptable to stop kissing the mezuzah out of health concerns? Signed, Mezuzot Without Microbes ASK AWAY Send your most perplexing queries, questions & requests for wisdom to be answered by either Sito or the Rabbi! mobile: Scan the QR code at right online: go.CommunityM.com/ask email: Ask@CommunityM.com facsimile: 718-504-4246 postal mail: 1616 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11223 E C I S a g e V a D A D V I C E 70 Community magazine