First Kiss

Do you remember your first Kiss?

My son who is approaching 14 months this Shabbat, learned to "Kiss" for the first time. Of course we smother him with kisses, but we are trying to teach him to kiss us. "Hillel, come give Mommy Kiss". So far not too much luck.

Until last night! I was holding Hillel by the doorway as we watched Mom drive off to run a couple of errands. As my wife pulled away, Hillel reached out and touched our Mezuzah then kissed his fingers with a loud smack. Obviously he has seen us do this on a number of occasions.

What a beautiful "first kiss".

Hear O Israel: G-d is our G-d; G-d is one (Deuteronomy 6:4). Words we recite every morning and evening. They contain the primal statement of what it means to be a Jew: to infuse our entire day and everything we do and possess with G-d's oneness.

It is regarding these words that G-d has commanded us, "And you shall inscribe them on the doorposts of you home, and on your gates". Hence the Mezuzah: a parchment scroll inscribed with the verses of the Shema and affixed to the right doorpost of every room in a Jewish home.

In addition to its role as a declaration and reminder of our faith, the mezuzah is also a symbol of G-d's watchful care over the home and its dwellers. The name of G-d, Sha-dai, which appears on the reverse side of the parchment is an acronym for the Hebrew words which mean "Guardian of the doorways of Israel." The placing of a mezuzah on the doors of a home or office protects the inhabitant--whether they are inside or out