President Trump unleashed a media uproar with his comments this week regarding North Korea, the reclusive and menacing Asian country. No doubt, Kim Jong Un, the young and ruthless dictator, needs to be kept in check. How to accomplish that, however, is a matter of great debate.
In an interview, Trump suggested that America would respond with “fire and fury” if provoked by North Korea. He also tweeted that America’s military solutions are “locked and loaded” should Kim Jong Un act unwisely.
While those are loaded terms (pun intended), what they mean is that North Korea’s suspected nuclear capacity is no match for America’s military might. America‘s strength is not simply bluster. It’s backed up by “locked and loaded” firepower.
It’s a fairly safe bet that the USA will defeat North Korea in an all-out war. What’s unknown, however, is the real military ability of North Korea’s regime. Do they have a deliverable nuclear bomb? What is the size of their nuclear arsenal, if anything at all?
In other words, what lies beneath the veneer?
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This back and forth strutting of power between North Korea’s and America’s leaders reminds me of an important lesson from this week’s parsha, Eikev.
One of the important observances that we are informed of both in last parsha and in this parsha is the mitzvah of mezuzah. The Torah commands, “And you shall inscribe them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates.” The mezuzah is placed on the right doorpost of all doorways in one’s home and business (except for inappropriate doorways, such as a bathroom).
On the mezuzah appears one of Hashem’s names SHAH-DAI (ש-ד-י). This name is also an acronym for שומר דלתות ישראל, Guardian of the Doors of Israel. Thus, the mezuzah is considered a means of protection.
What is protective about putting the mezuzah on doors throughout my home?
We can debate the ‘magic’ of the mezuzah. Is it automatic? Is it due to the increased faith I have in G-d, asserted by following His command and by identifying publicly as a Jew? Is it due to the blessings that I bring into my home via the mezuzah?
But, one thing is certain: It’s the actual scroll that is sacred and brings protection.
There is nothing wrong with encasing the mezuzah in ornamental or artistically crafted cases (it’s in fact commendable – it’s beautifying a mitzvah). However, it is only the parchment that fulfills the commandment and produces the spiritual and physical effects the mitzvah is intended to provide. We should never economize with the quality of the parchments in order to afford more expensive cases. Better a simple case and a proper scroll than a fancy case without a kosher scroll, written by a skilled scribe in compliance with the strictest standards of Jewish law.
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I’m not sure about Trump and Kim Jong Un. But I am sure that a case without the mezuzah inside is simply a ruse.
When it comes to my relationship with G-d, I’m going to make sure I’m “locked and loaded.”