Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

1. “And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”

a. This is the verse God commands his people to write the Scriptures on their doorposts. The Jews being obedient affix a mezuzah to the doorposts of their homes. The word “Mezuzah” is Hebrew for “post” or “doorpost”.

b. posts [4201 * mezuwzah][Strong: a door-post (as prominent):--(door, side) post.

c. Jewish instructions concerning the Mezuzah: Deuteronomy 6:9; 11:20. The Mitzvah (Commandment)  of Mezuzah (lit. doorpost) clearly illustrates that not only is a synagogue or place of worship and study holy, but also one’s home can and should be, a holy sanctuary. The sanctity of the home is symbolized by a Mezuzah. This small handwritten scroll is encased in a small box and affixed to the right doorpost of the home. It attests to God’s watchful care over the house and all that is in it, reminding both dwellers and visitors, at the very entrance, that “this house is a sanctuary of the Almighty, El-Shaddai.” This is communicated by the Hebrew letter, “Shin,” which stands for “Shaddai”, which is made up of 3 Hebrew leters, “Shin, Dalet, Yud” representing the Hebrew words “Shomer Daltot Yisrael”, translated “Watchman Over the Gates (Doors of Israel!” The Mezuzah contains two Biblical passages which mention this Divine commandment: “Shema” and “Vehaya” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Deuteronomy 11:13-21). “Shema” declares the unity of the One G-d and our sacred, eternal duty to serve only him. “Vehaya” expresses God’s assurance of blessing to those who will follow the Torah’s precepts, and warns of retribution for disobedience to them. It is customary to put the right hand on the Mezuzah and kiss it both upon entering and leaving the house as a reminder of the authority and importance of the Word of G-d.

d. During the ministry of Jesus, he was asked what was the first commandment? Jesus responded as any faithful Jew would, by reciting the Shema.

1). Mark 12:28-30  And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.