Summoning Sanctity into the Home
A couple once came to me, claiming that they had no shalom bayit. I turned to the woman and asked her, “How do you see your husband?”
“My husband is a wonderful man.”
Then I turned to the husband and asked what he thought of his wife.
“She is fantastic,” he averred.
I was perplexed. Here was a couple, obviously loving and admiring of each other, nevertheless, they felt that they lacked inner peace. I understood that it was an outside factor which caused this condition.
I finally figured out what it was. “The reason why you don’t have shalom bayit is either due to television or Internet. The fact that you gaze at forbidden sites prevents the Shechinah from resting in your midst.”
A home which contains the abomination of television or unfiltered access to Internet opens all channels for defilement to flow in. This home cannot house the Shechinah. All of the sefarim and mezuzot on the doors cannot stand sentry against the onslaught of decadence coming in via these mediums. The source of depravity must be removed in order for peace and harmony to return. Then the Shechinah will spread its wings over this home.
