Mezuzahs on Righteous Gentiles' Homes?

I recently came across a couple of posting in a Jewish blog, and wanted to know what other Messianics think about Gentiles placing a Mezuzah on their doorways, not to identify themselves as Jewish but to keep God’s commandments? Any thoughts or opinions?

STORY #1:

Florida’s Gentile Governor, Charlie Crist, has affixed a Mezuzah to his office in the Capitol. Crist is not a member of the Jewish tribe. Some were in favor of this and some against. Well, I guess that some of the Jewish members of government in Florida felt funny that the Gentile governor had a Mezuzah on his office and they didn’t. It seems that House Majority leader Adam Hasner (Jewish) called up Chabad’s Rabbi Oirchman and asked him to put up a Mezuzah on his office. Two weeks later the Rabbi got a call from the Minority Leader, Dan Gelber.

I wonder if we will see a day when there will be Mezuzahs on the White House and the Congress for Gentile governement officials?

STORY #2 

Posting: 

I am not Jewish, I am Catholic. I have been reading about the Mazuzah and the meaning of placing a Mazuzah at one’s doorway. Would it be inappropriate or even sacrilegious for a Catholic to place a Mazuzah on his doorway?

Thank you for your time.
Manuel  -  Pueblo, Colorado

Answer:

Dear Manuel,

Thank you for your question. Your faith has much in common with the Jewish values that the mezuzah expresses – the need to bring G-d’s presence into the home, the confidence in His protection. The mezuzah, while expressing these values, has also taken on a new dimension over the generations. It has become a particularly Jewish symbol.

A Jewish family sees putting a mezuzah on the door as an expression of their Jewish identity. In Israel, where I live, mezuzahs are found on just about every Jewish home, regardless of whether the family observes the Torah’s commandments to the fullest, or only nominally. I would think that if you put a mezuzah on your door, it would express not only faith in G-d, which you have, but also Jewish identity, which as a Catholic you do not have.

Since you find the message of the mezuzah meaningful, and you deserve much admiration for that, I would suggest doing the following: write the text of the mezuzah in English on a beautiful piece of paper or parchment, frame it, and keep it near your door. You will be able to strengthen your faith in G-d in way which authentically expresses your religious identity.

Source: http://www.mezuzah.net/sofer.html#q9 

Submitted by: josiah, September 4th, 2008 Topic: Messianic Forums
Tags: Commandments, Gentiles, Mezuzah, mezuzah

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6 Comments

eliahu commented on September 23, 2008:

How many laws are implied by the Mezuzah? How many are actually being upheld by the non-converted messianic gentile? Is it not one thing for the Jew even in the fellowship of the Torah righteousness of our Mashiach Yshu'a, to profess his yiddishkeit by affixing a Mezuzah to the door of His dwelling though erring at the Torah mitzvot and a different thing for a non convert or Christian gentile to affix a mezuzah to his door while continuing in violations of all the behavioral characteristics which were meant to typify the Torah righteous Jew (portrayed by the Mezuzah) even in the Mashiach Y'shua. The mezuzah is not a charm nor is it some trite religious curiosity meant to carry a political statement, nor is it a statement of identity, nor of affiliation with the Jewish people, except as an affiliation with G-d on the basis of His Torah. If that individual was a gentile then the mezuzah bespeaks his conversion, circumcision and commitment of agreement to keep the whole of the law, as is applicable to that individual... and this would be especially true if the person is a Jew, even one professing his salvation in our Mashiach Y'shua

eliahu commented on September 23, 2008:

How many laws are implied by the Mezuzah? How many are actually being upheld by the non-converted messianic gentile? Is it not one thing for the Jew even in the fellowship of the Torah righteousness of our Mashiach Yshu'a, to profess his yiddishkeit by affixing a Mezuzah to the door of His dwelling though erring at the Torah and its another thing for a gentile to affix a mezuzah to their door and continue in violations of all the behavioral characteristics which were meant to typify the Torah righteous Jew, even in the Mashiach Y'shua. The mezuzah is not a charm nor is it some trite religious curiosity meant to carry a political statement, nor is it a statement of identity, nor of affiliation with the Jewish people, except as an affiliation with G-d on the basis of His Torah. If that individual was a gentile then the mezuzah bespeaks his conversion, circumcision and commitment of agreement to keep the whole of the law, as is applicable to that individual... and this would be especially true if the person is a Jew, even one professing his salvation in our Mashiach Y'shua

John Diff commented on September 22, 2008:

I wonder when Messianic Judaism will realize that the Torah is not just for Jews. Everyone has the right to keep the commandments. A Christian who hangs a mezuzah should not be any more noteworthy than a Jew who does the same.

Ahavalou commented on September 21, 2008:

I have a mezuzah on the door frame of my front door. I am reminded of G-D's command everytime I go through the door. It raises many questions which I am happy to answer when many people come to my door and ask why I have a mezuzah. I have had opportunities to share the Holy Scriptures with people. I must say though that the Jehovah's Witness no longer come calling.

jkresefsky commented on September 14, 2008:

Nu? What's so wrong with this? Were not the oracles of HaShem given to His Chosen people for the world to see - to be a light unto the world? And if the strange or foreigner amongst us wanted to join with us, His Commands would be the same for them as they are for us? These people got it - the light shined upon them and they open their hearts to it. This is the Shema; they want to remember the Commandments of HaShem, and...they honor His Chosen people by doing so. Again I ask, "Nu? Is this so wrong?

TWBee commented on September 07, 2008:

Hi Josiah, Learn about the mezuzah and the reasons for it. If you trust in putting it up and learning from it and what it stands for, and it helps to sanctify you, then by all means, take that step, even though it is a small one and see where it takes you. Could Torah be far behind? :-) Hear, O Israel, YHVH our Elohim is one EL. And you shall love YHVH your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these Words which I am commanding you today shall be on your heart. And you shall teach them to your sons, and shall speak of them as you sit in your house, and as you walk in the way, and as you are lying down, and as you are rising up. And you shall bind them for a sign on your hand; and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house, and on your gates. The sign on your hands will be the works you do, the frontlets between your eyes is where the seat of devotion resides in the brain. As you are going in and out of your door and gates, take what you see there are a reminder to do right actions and think right thoughts. Shalom, Tim

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