I owe you a thank you, Yair Garbuz. Really. It's been many years, too many, I can't even remember how many, that I haven't kissed the mezuzah.
I mean, it comes out here and there, but as they say, it's not that. Not really out of knowledge of the act.
When I was a child, I always kissed her. I would even go back to her at the mezuzah to put my hand and kiss her, if by chance, in the heat of running out into the big world, I passed her by without paying attention.
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Because back then, when I was a child, I still had a deep and pure awareness that between the inside and the outside there is a center of gravity that is the anchor; that is the true essence; that is your inner identity in the most sincere sense, and that you must carry with you wherever you go, because it is what carries you with it wherever you go.
And suddenly you grow up and everything becomes just one big "getting by", and everything just to "get to". And somewhere along the way, the constant "now", the moment itself, is forgotten. And with it, so are you. There is no longer any time to think about where you came from and where you are going, no longer any reflection on the reason for the movement.
And you forget the mezuzah, and you actually forget yourself.
And now, without you wanting to, Yair Garbuz, you reminded me. You reminded me of everything that the mezuzah reminds me of in its very being. Who I am and what I am for, and who is always standing at my right hand and guiding my steps, who created in me legs to run, and hands to open doors, and eyes to embrace the world and its entirety, and ears to listen, and a voice to voice my desires, and an intellect and understanding to learn and know and do and achieve.
You reminded me of the beauty of momentary existence, and the understanding that life, every moment of it, is a doorway to the next wonder.
So thank you, Yair, for giving me back the mezuzah and myself.
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Rambam, Laws of Tefillin, Mezuzah, and the Torah Scroll:
""A person must be careful with the mezuzah because it is a duty for everyone at all times, and every time he enters and exits, he will offend the uniqueness of the name of the Holy One, the Holy One of God, and he will remember His love and will be aware of his sleep and his mistakes in the vanities of time, and he will know that nothing lasts forever and ever except the knowledge of the creation of the world, and he will immediately return to his knowledge and walk in the paths of righteousness.".
""The early sages said, 'Anyone who has tefillin on his head and arm, a turban on his garment, and a mezuzah on his door is protected from sinning, for he has many reminders, and they are the angels who save him from sinning, as it is said, "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them."'.
