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Laws of the Mezuzah: Overview
1. One of the 613
The Rabbis tell us that there are 613 commandments in the Torah. The commandment of
putting up a Mezuzah is one of these 613. Therefore, when you put up a Mezuzah
in your home, you have fulfilled one of the
taryag
(613) Mitzvot.
2. A Positive Commandment
The 613 commandments are divided into positive commandments, where a certain
act must be performed, such as eating Matzah on Pesach, and negative
commandments, where a certain act, such as stealing, is prohibited. The mitzvah
of putting up a Mezuzah is one of the 248 positive commandments.
3. Scope
Certain commandments have limited scope, in terms of:
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Time. Some Mitzvot apply only during the times when
the Holy Temple in Jerusalem is standing, or only at certain times of the
year. |
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Place. Some Mitzvot apply only in the
land of Israel. |
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Person. Some Mitzvot apply only to males. |
None of these restrictions apply to the Mitzvah of Mezuzah. Thus, the Mitzvah of Mezuzah
applies at all times, in all places, to both men and women. Children too should
be encouraged to take part.
4. Definition
Clearly, two distinct acts are involved in Mezuzah: 1. writing the Mezuzah; and 2. putting
the Mezuzah up on your door. The Rabbis teach us that it is the second act,
putting up the Mezuzah, through which one fulfills the Mitzvah of Mezuzah.
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© Baal Shem Tov Foundation 2003-2005 |
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