and the gate, in keeping with the passuk (Bereishis 4, 7): "לפתח חטאת רובץ"—at the entrance, sin crouches. Thus, we learn from his words of wisdom that the destroyer that stands at the entrance to a house behind the door is called רי"ב. He aims to harm the inhabitants with his “ayin hara,” infecting them with the negative, deleterious trait of jealousy. Rather than being content with what they have at home, he wants them to gaze enviously at their neighbors’ doors and properties, believing that the neighbors have more than they do. This explains why the destroyer is named רי"ב, which connotes disputes and discontent. His name says it all; he aims to cause quarrels and altercations within a household, in keeping with the passuk: "דברי ריבות בשעריך".
Accordingly, we can now suggest in a manner that applies to all of us why the name Shakkai inscribed on the mezuzah negates the malicious intent of the klipah of רי"ב. The Gemara (Chagigah 12a) explains the significance of the name שד"י as follows: "בשעה שברא הקב"ה את העולם, היה מרחיב והולך כשתי פקעיות של שתי עד שגער בו הקב"ה והעמידו, שנאמר (איוב כו-יא) עמודי שמים ירופפו ויתמהו מגערתו, והיינו דאמר ריש לקיש, מאי דכתיב אני אל שדי, אני הוא שאמרתי לעולם די". When HKB”H created the world, it was expanding continuously . . . until HKB”H rebuked the world and brought it to a standstill . . . And this bears out what Reish Lakish said: What is the meaning of that which is written (Bereishis 17, 1; ibid. 35, 11): “I am El Shakkai?” I am the One Who told the world, “Enough.”
We can deduce from this Gemara that the name Shakkai implies that HKB”H apportions to every individual “enough”—“dai”—for him to exist and fulfill his purpose in life. If a person believes this wholeheartedly, he has no reason to be jealous of his neighbor who might seem to have more than him. If he does indeed have less, it is for a good reason and for his personal benefit. This is the message conveyed by the Gemara (Yoma 38b): "אין אדם נוגע במוכן לחבירו"—a person cannot touch what is allotted for his fellow.
This clarifies for us the meaning of the divine name שד"י inscribed on the mezuzah. As we have learned, the destructive force named רי"ב stands behind the entryway to our homes and attempts to afflict those living within with its “ayin hara.” It tries to sow seeds of discontent and jealousy causing them to be envious of one another and of their neighbors. Yet, by touching the mezuzah as one enters and leaves one’s house, uttering and focusing on the meaning of the name Shakkai—that HKB”H said to His world, “Enough!”—it instills in us the sincere, wholehearted emunah that HKB”H has set aside for us everything that we need. With this emunah, we negate the klipah of רי"ב preventing it from infecting us with the trait of jealousy.
Let us rejoice! We have successfully shed some light on the subject. We can now appreciate the significance of the prayer Yaakov Avinu uttered as the shevatim prepared to go down to Mitzrayim to confront Yosef. With his “ruach hakodesh,” he invoked the name Shakkai: "ואל שדי יתן לכם רחמים"—to counteract the klipah of רי"ב that was aroused by the hatred that had festered among the brothers toward Yosef. This also explains very nicely why it was orchestrated from above for them to congregate at the doorway to the house of Yosef HaTzaddik in Mitzrayim. There, they prayed with the name Shakkai to eliminate the klipah of רי"ב that had been aroused on account of the discord and dispute—“reev”—between them and Yosef.
Therefore, it behooves us to follow the example of the shevatim. As we enter and leave our houses, we should stand by the mezuzah and focus on the name שד"י. By doing so, we can connect with the kedushah of Yaakov Avinu who inculcated in us the emunah in the oneness of Hashem which is proclaimed in the first passuk in the mezuzah: "שמע ישראל ה' אלקינו ה' אחד". Additionally, we should remember the tefilah Yaakov Avinu prayed on behalf of Yisrael: “May Kel Shakkai grant you mercy.” In this merit, we will be granted the protection that HKB”H promised Yaakov Avinu: "והנה אנכי עמך ושמרתיך בכל אשר תלך"—I will accompany you and protect you in all of your endeavors.
