Dear Friends,
The Mezuzah: A Home for Strength and Nurture First, a correction. In last week’s article, the name of our new grandson was mistakenly stated. The correct name is Eliam Lev. At the Bris, Ariel, the proud father, beautifully explained the significance of the names. Here’s the gist of what he shared: “Eli” means my G-d — taking personal ownership of our relationship with G-d and recognizing the Divine within me — my soul. “Am” means people, expressing our being part of something greater than ourselves — Am Yisrael - the people of Israel. “Lev” means heart, signifying a deep, internalized and heartfelt connection to G-d and to Am Yisrael. “Lev” is also etymologically linked to lavi — a young lion. The month of Av is under the mazal, the spiritual energy, of the lion. As a people, we are compared to lions, fiercely defending our land — the masculine energy of strength and protection. The two letters of “Lev” also encapsulate the entire Torah, which begins with a Bet and ends with a Lamed, representing the completeness of our connection to G-d’s word — the feminine energy of internalizing and nurturing the Torah within. This week, on the 20th of Av, we mark the yahrzeit of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson “Reb Levik”, the illustrious father of the Rebbe. His prolific writings reveal profound layers of Torah, particularly through the lens of Kabbalah and gematria (numerology). Here’s an illustration of his unique style and method of teaching, as it pertains to the word mezuzah. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak notes that the first letter, mem (מ), has the numerical value of 40. This corresponds to the mystical teaching that forty days before a child is conceived, a heavenly voice calls forth the soul destined for embodiment in this world. The mezuzah, placed at the entrance to our homes, thus alludes to the moment when a soul’s earthly journey begins. The word then splits intriguingly: "zu" (זו) and "zah" (זה). Kabbalistically, zu represents the masculine aspect of the soul — strength, outward movement, conquest. Zah represents the feminine aspect — receptivity, nurturing, and inner development. The mezuzah affirms that a Jewish home is meant to be a place where these two energies are honored, balanced, and fused. Masculine energy protects and provides structure; feminine energy fills that structure with warmth, care, and soul. In a home, one partner might focus on protecting and providing — masculine energy. The other might focus on cultivating emotional and spiritual life — feminine energy. In reality, both roles blend, but together they create a complete, harmonious dwelling. The same is true for our national home, the Land of Israel. The masculine energy is the courage to defend it, the readiness to stand as lions against any threat. The feminine energy is nurturing its soul — building communities, fostering Torah study,and Mitzvah observance - planting beauty and unity, and filling the land with kindness and light. Every mezuzah on every doorway proclaims this truth: a true home — personal or national — stands strong on the outside and glows with life on the inside. On the 20th of Av, inspired by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s teaching and the blessing of a new generation in our family, may we each strengthen both halves of our home and our people — and in doing so, make our lives a dwelling place for the Divine. And perhaps that is the deeper blessing in the name Eliam Lev: to be a heart (Lev) that fiercely protects like a lion, yet tenderly nurtures from within — a living mezuzah that unites the masculine and feminine energies in perfect harmony. Good Shabbos and Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Ruvi New 