Yaki Edmakar Launches Nationwide Mezuzah Project Amid Surging Public Demand
Yaki Edmakar, known from the Israeli show "The Patriots," initiated a mezuzah placement campaign that unexpectedly gained massive traction across Israel. The project began when fellow panelist Guy Maroz invited Edmakar to affix a mezuzah in his new Tel Aviv apartment. Upon arrival, Edmakar discovered the mezuzah case was empty, prompting him to provide a proper scroll and reschedule the ceremony. A viral video of Maroz wearing a helmet during the placement, due to construction, helped the project reach nearly a million viewers.
Following this exposure, Edmakar announced a "Mezuzah Operation" dedicated to his late mother’s memory, receiving hundreds of requests nationwide, from the northern border town of Metula to southern Eilat. Many sought to check existing mezuzot, while others wanted to affix one for the first time. To manage the demand, Edmakar partnered with Rabbi David Druck from the "Kisufim" organization, and together they have been traveling across cities including Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Netanya, and Kfar Saba, offering free mezuzah installations.
Edmakar emphasized the spiritual impact, sharing stories of emotional reactions, such as a school of 450 children moved to tears and a family inspired to begin daily tefillin prayers after receiving a mezuzah. Despite volunteers offering help, Edmakar insists on personally participating in each placement to maintain the project's integrity. He envisions the campaign as a catalyst for a broader spiritual revival, ultimately hoping it contributes to the rebuilding of the Temple upon the arrival of the Messiah.
The campaign has also attracted notable figures like author and broadcaster Irit Linor, who recently had eight mezuzot placed in her home with Edmakar’s assistance. The project reflects a growing national thirst for reconnecting with Jewish tradition and spirituality, as Edmakar described it as an "immense thirst for connection to tradition" leading to a spiritual transformation in the people.
