It was at midnight that Hashem passed over every Jewish home during Makkas Bechoros; representing, explained Rav Miller zt’l, a portent for the future: While all the other nations will eventually fade away, Klal Yisrael is here to stay....
In studying this idea, b’ezras Hashem, I thought that perhaps within this crucial incident of Passover itself — namely, HaKadosh Baruch Hu passing over our homes and saving us from all harm — lies a deeper message behind all our doorposts, the threshold of every Jewish home.
For really, just as on that very first night of our creation as a people, Hashem saw the blood on our doors and guarded our homes from all harm, so too, throughout history, it is the sign on our doorposts — the mezuzah that has within it the zechus of shemirah and the letters that symbolize Hashem’s Name — that indicate He is Shomer Dalsos Yisrael—the Guardian of the doors of Yisrael.
Chazal (Avodah Zarah 11a) share an incredible story in this vein about Onkelos, the holy convert, and how he influenced so many to follow in his ways through the power of the mezuzah....
As Onkelos, on command of the king, was being carried out of his home to his execution he placed his hand on the mezuzah.... And when the soldiers asked him what it was, he explained: “A king of flesh and blood has his servants stand by his door to guard him from harm, but for us, the Jewish people, it’s the opposite. While the servants of the King of all kings sleep soundly in their homes, Hashem Yisbarach Himself, kaviyachol, guards them from outside their doors....”
As each group of soldiers came and went, they became so influenced by this foundation of truth that they completely converted to Yiddishkeit...
Such is the great eternal inspiration and lesson of the mezuzah:
