A “Why” Question

Why questions are often the most difficult Torah questions to answer. So, when TABC talmid, Akiva Sytner asked, “Why do we place Shema and Vehaya Im Shamoa in our mezuzot?” in a classroom “ask the rabbi session,” I responded that I needed some time to formulate a thoughtful response. The following is the response I presented to our shiur, two days later.

The Basics

First, let us address the basics: The mishna (Menachot 28a) mentions our mezuzot containing two parshiot, and Rashi (s.v. Shtei) explains that it refers to Shema and Vehaya Im Shamoa. The Rambam (Hilchot Tefillin 5:1) also mentions two parshiot of Shema and Vehaya Im Shamoa. The uncontested nature of this halacha indicates that it is a halacha l’Moshe miSinai, a tradition Moshe Rabbeinu received from Hashem when he ascended Har Sinai.

But why, specifically, these two parshiot? Isn’t the Aseret Hadibrot a better candidate? After all, Rashi (to Shemot 24:12) quotes Rav Saadia Gaon, saying that all of the 613 stem from the Aseret Hadibrot. Ashkenazic and Moroccan Jews stand for the Torah reading of the Aseret Hadibrot. They do not do so for Shema and Vehaya Im Shamoa. Why not accord higher priority to the 10 commandments and place this more important section of the Chumash in the mezuzah?

I have seen the 10 commandments posted throughout the rural southern United States. In some areas, they are ubiquitous! Such postings are appropriate for non-Jews, since the 10 commandments mirror—to some extent—the Sheva Mitzvot Bnei Noach. Not coincidentally, several religious Christians with whom I have spoken presumed we place the Aseret Hadibrot in our mezuzot. So, why do we not do this?

1. Mention in Chumash

For starters, Shema and Vehaya Im Shamoa contain the Chumash’s only two references to the mitzvah of mezuzah. The Aseret Hadibrot do not refer to mezuzot.

2. Core Articles of Faith

Shema and Vehaya Im Shamoa both contain the basic principles of faith. They express the essence of Jewish identity. Shema includes themes of Hashem’s oneness—loving Hashem entirely and never taking a vacation from Hashem. Vehaya Im Shamoa communicates accountability—the principle of reward and punishment. There is no downside in posting these two parshiot in almost every room of our homes.

3. Aseret Hadibrot Could Be Misleading

By contrast, there would be a potential downside to posting the Aseret Hadibrot. People would think these are the only mitzvot a Jew must observe. I was raised on a street where almost all my neighbors were non-observant Jews. A familiar refrain these neighbors sounded was that they follow the 10 commandments (though not really, since they, sadly, were not Shomer Shabbat—though a few became observant later in life).

The situation was exacerbated when the Minim (early Notzrim) argued that the Aseret Hadibrot were the only portion of the Chumash that were divinely revealed. This false claim demotivated Chazal (Brachot 12a) from incorporating this core Chumash section in our daily tefillot.

4. Mezuzot Expresses Shema Themes

TABC talmid, Aiden Rauzman, adds that the Shema and the Vehaya Im Shamoa section summons us to immerse ourselves in Torah fully. We are bidden to speak of it when walking, sitting at home, going to sleep and awakening. Placing the mezuzot on almost every doorway in our homes reminds us to always bear Hashem’s Torah in mind.

The mezuzah reminds us that we never vacation from Hashem and His Torah. As a healthy-minded couple would not dream of taking separate vacations, we never take a break from Torah. Mezuzot reinforce the message that we never leave Hashem.

5. Accepting Authority And Responsibility

The mishna (Brachot 2:2) teaches that the Shema section expresses kabbalat ol malchut Shamayim, accepting Hashem’s authority. The Vehaya Im Shamoa section articulates kabbalat ol mitzvot, taking responsibility for observing mitzvot.

Accepting authority and responsibility are essential building blocks of healthy and successful living. As a high school rebbe, I receive dozens of requests yearly to evaluate students for camps, jobs, yeshivot and college positions. A few years after students graduate, prospective in-law parents often consult me about the character of the young man who is seriously dating their daughter.

Invariably, two questions loom large in the minds of prospective employers, educational institutions and in-laws—does the young man accept authority and responsibility? These essential questions are crucial guideposts for predicting success. Someone who rejects authority or shirks responsibility will not function well in any setting. Thus, the mezuzot’s ubiquitous reminders to be responsible and accept authority direct every Jew to a happy and successful life.

Conclusion—Searching Further

“Why” questions are, unquestionably, the most difficult Torah questions. Torah commentators are almost exclusively answering “what questions.” Often, we are left alone to explain the reasons for Hashem’s mitzvot. Our answers might be speculative and of limited value. Nonetheless, we proceed with profound reverence and respect for Torah and do our best in our search for explanations. If we fall short, the pursuit continues in the never-ending quest to master Hashem’s beautiful Torah.

Rabbi Haim Jachter is the spiritual leader of Congregation Shaarei Orah, the Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck. He also serves as a rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and a dayan on the Beth Din of Elizabeth.