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The Mezzuza

 The Talmud relates a story about the great luminary, Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi.  Arbata, the Parthian king sent to the Rabbi Yehudah a gift, a splendid pearl.  Rabbi Yehudah responded with a gift of his own, a mezzuza.  Outraged by the seeming mockery, the king angrily rebuked Rabbi Yehudah: "You have insulted me!  I sent you a priceless gift, and you reciprocate with a trifle of no value?!"  

"The gift you sent to me is so valuable that it will have to be guarded.  The gift that I gave to you will guard you, even when you are asleep."

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