The Mitzvah of Mezzuzah and Metaverses

Israel Herald
04 Feb 2023, 05:30 GMT+10

By Dr. Jasmin Cowin

Assistant Professor and TESOL Practicum Coordinator

Touro University, TESOL/BLE Department

New York, NY

Interpretation and application of halakhah to new technologies focusing on metaverses, Oculus Quest or Rift and avatars is an underdiscussed field. The relevance of Jewish law in these spaces should be addressed in discussions between scholars, experts and users. The Mitzvah of Mezzuzah and the application of digital replicas based on physical objects is one example of a topic requiring further examination. The term "metaverse" refers to a virtual world where users interact with each other through avatars. It is a shared, persistent, and immersive environment that transcends the physical world. Extended Reality (XR) technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality bridge the gap between the physical and virtual worlds. Personalized avatars function as the users alter ego and become the active subject in simulation environments. The term simulation refers to artificial representations of real-world processes to achieve goals through immersive user experiences.

The Mitzvah of Mezzuzah states, "Write them on the doorposts of your house and upon your gates" (Devarim 6:9), however no recent rabbinical debates relate to 'virtual' mezuzahs or virtual mezuzah widgets offered on the internet. Avatars, representing a person interact in metaverse simulations with other participants. Interactions can take place within a digital twin, a mirror of physical object, often based on a 3D scan upload into the simulation. Digital twins reflect both the physical object and the context in which it operates together with the actual processes of stimulus and response. If avatars are indeed an alter ego of a person acting in simulations mirroring a physical space, then robust transdisciplinary discussions and guidance regarding 3D simulation environments are needed, like the Weekly Halakah Discussion by Rabbi Donial Yehuda Neustadt. Does the basic Jewish obligation of a mezuzah on the doorpost of Jewish home or classroom extend to its digital mirror? Of course, virtual rooms cant be measured in four cubits by four cubits or more, yet, simulated environments are experienced as real spaces. Perhaps it is time to engage in transdisciplinary discussions and explore the potential implications of dynamic simulation environments for Jewish educators, instructional designers metaverse curators and users to ensure Jewish principles are honored.