The Guardian of Israel never sleeps or slumbers....
Perhaps we can give some perspective on this incredible mitzvah, which often is taken for granted: Every day in Tachanun we recite a plea before HaKadosh Baruch Hu to please guard those who say “Shema Yisrael.” And the question beckons: what is it about Shema in particular that makes it such a zechus for our shemirah?
Maybe the idea is that one of the most vital aspects of the exclamation “Shema Yisrael” is the clear recognition that Hashem Echad — that there is nothing else besides Hashem in the world, it is only He alone. That clear understanding is the very great and foundational principle of Ein Od Milvado, which Rav Chaim Volozhin taught us is the biggest segulah for protection. For the more that a person knows in the depths of his mind and heart that there is nothing else but Hashem, the more he will be zocheh to be guarded by that truth itself.
If one looks into the words of the Rambam on Hilchos Mezuzah, one can see how beautifully he states this principle with very profound and powerful words. He expresses that the mezuzah on the Jewish doorpost is meant to remind the Jew, each time he passes it, that nothing exists else besides Hashem Yisbarach alone....
There are no robbers, no terrorists, no dangers, no harmful matters... there is only Hashem Echad....
For even when I go in the shadow of death, I will not fear harm, for You are with me....
As the tefillah teaches us that Shema Yisrael is a merit for protection, and we know very clearly that the mezuzah, too, is our very great zechus for protection; perhaps this common theme is at the core of both: Ein Od Milvado....
And thus, the next time we place our hands on the doorposts of our homes to show our love for the great mitzvah we are zocheh to fulfill, it is so vital that we add to it a bit of thought regarding the reality of what the mezuzah is meant to represent and teach us....
B’Siyata DiShmaya.
