A mezuzah is a piece of parchment (usually contained in a decorative case) inscribed with specified
Hebrew verses from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21). These verses comprise the Jewish
prayer "Shema Yisrael," and begins with the phrase "Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is One."
A mezuzah is affixed to the doorframe of Jewish homes to fulfill the mitzvah (Biblical commandment) to
inscribe the words of the Shema "on the doorposts of your house."(Deuteronomy 6:9) Many families place
a mezuzah on the front door only, but observant Jews fix one on every doorway in the home apart from
bathrooms, and closets too small to qualify as rooms.[1] The parchment is prepared by a qualified scribe
(a "sofer stam") who has undergone many years of meticulous training, and the verses are written in
indelible black ink with a special quill pen. The parchment is then rolled up and placed inside the case.
Hebrew verses from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21). These verses comprise the Jewish
prayer "Shema Yisrael," and begins with the phrase "Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is One."
A mezuzah is affixed to the doorframe of Jewish homes to fulfill the mitzvah (Biblical commandment) to
inscribe the words of the Shema "on the doorposts of your house."(Deuteronomy 6:9) Many families place
a mezuzah on the front door only, but observant Jews fix one on every doorway in the home apart from
bathrooms, and closets too small to qualify as rooms.[1] The parchment is prepared by a qualified scribe
(a "sofer stam") who has undergone many years of meticulous training, and the verses are written in
indelible black ink with a special quill pen. The parchment is then rolled up and placed inside the case.
Mezuzah (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
According to halakha, the mezuzah should be placed on the right side of the door, in the upper third of the
doorpost (i.e., approximately shoulder height),[2] within approximately 3 inches of the doorway opening.
Generally, halakha requires that mezuzot be affixed within 30 days of moving into a rented house or
apartment. This applies to Jews living in the Diaspora (i.e. outside the Land of Israel). For a purchased
home or apartment in the Diaspora, or a residence in Israel (owned or rented), the mezuzah is affixed
immediately upon moving in. The case can be affixed to the doorpost with nails, screws, glue, or double-
sided tape. Wrapping the scroll in plastic wrap before placing it in the case will protect it from the
elements. Care should be taken to not tear or damage the parchment or the wording on it, as this will
invalidate the mezuzah.
Where the doorway is wide enough, Ashkenazi Jews and Spanish and Portuguese Jews tilt the mezuzah
so that the top slants toward the room into which the door opens. This is done to accommodate the
variant opinions of the medieval Rabbis Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam as to whether it should be placed
horizontally or vertically, and also to imply that God and the Torah (which the mezuzah symbolizes) are
entering the room. Most Sephardim and other non-Ashkenazi Jews affix the mezuzah vertically.[3]
The procedure is to hold the mezuzah against the spot upon which it will be affixed, then recite a
blessing:
Baruch atta Adonai Eloheinu melech ha‘olam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu likboa‘ mezuza.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His mitzvot, and
commanded us to affix a mezuzah.
Any Jew can recite the blessing provided he or she is old enough to understand the significance of the
mitzvah. After the blessing, the mezuzah is attached. When affixing several mezuzot, it is sufficient to
recite the blessing once, before affixing the first one.
doorpost (i.e., approximately shoulder height),[2] within approximately 3 inches of the doorway opening.
Generally, halakha requires that mezuzot be affixed within 30 days of moving into a rented house or
apartment. This applies to Jews living in the Diaspora (i.e. outside the Land of Israel). For a purchased
home or apartment in the Diaspora, or a residence in Israel (owned or rented), the mezuzah is affixed
immediately upon moving in. The case can be affixed to the doorpost with nails, screws, glue, or double-
sided tape. Wrapping the scroll in plastic wrap before placing it in the case will protect it from the
elements. Care should be taken to not tear or damage the parchment or the wording on it, as this will
invalidate the mezuzah.
Where the doorway is wide enough, Ashkenazi Jews and Spanish and Portuguese Jews tilt the mezuzah
so that the top slants toward the room into which the door opens. This is done to accommodate the
variant opinions of the medieval Rabbis Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam as to whether it should be placed
horizontally or vertically, and also to imply that God and the Torah (which the mezuzah symbolizes) are
entering the room. Most Sephardim and other non-Ashkenazi Jews affix the mezuzah vertically.[3]
The procedure is to hold the mezuzah against the spot upon which it will be affixed, then recite a
blessing:
Baruch atta Adonai Eloheinu melech ha‘olam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu likboa‘ mezuza.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His mitzvot, and
commanded us to affix a mezuzah.
Any Jew can recite the blessing provided he or she is old enough to understand the significance of the
mitzvah. After the blessing, the mezuzah is attached. When affixing several mezuzot, it is sufficient to
recite the blessing once, before affixing the first one.
Affixing the mezuzah
Video: Affix Mezuzah How-To
The commandment to affix a mezuzah is widely followed in the Jewish world, even by Jews who are not
religiously observant. While the important part of the mezuzah is the "klaf," or parchment, and not the
case itself, designing and producing mezuzah cases has been elevated to an art form over the ages.
Mezuzahs are produced from an endless variety of materials, from silver and precious metals, to wood,
stone, ceramics and pewter. In fact, the beauty of many of these cases has led some to forget that the
important part of the mezuzah is the parchment. Some dealers of mezuzah cases will provide or offer for
sale a copy of the text that has been photocopied onto paper; this is not a valid mezuzah, which must be
handwritten onto a piece of parchment by a qualified scribe.
religiously observant. While the important part of the mezuzah is the "klaf," or parchment, and not the
case itself, designing and producing mezuzah cases has been elevated to an art form over the ages.
Mezuzahs are produced from an endless variety of materials, from silver and precious metals, to wood,
stone, ceramics and pewter. In fact, the beauty of many of these cases has led some to forget that the
important part of the mezuzah is the parchment. Some dealers of mezuzah cases will provide or offer for
sale a copy of the text that has been photocopied onto paper; this is not a valid mezuzah, which must be
handwritten onto a piece of parchment by a qualified scribe.
The "Kotel" Mezuzah
case by Caesarea Arts
case by Caesarea Arts
Shema Jerusalem Stone
Mezuzah case
Mezuzah case
Made of natural Jerusalem stones, the
shape of this unique mezuzah resembles
the Wailing Wall, also known as the Kotel,
one of the most significant and
well-known emblems in the Jewish
tradition and landscape. The mezuzah
has been treated to look like the old
Biblical stones. This mezuzah beautifully
signifies the sanctity of the Jewish home.
shape of this unique mezuzah resembles
the Wailing Wall, also known as the Kotel,
one of the most significant and
well-known emblems in the Jewish
tradition and landscape. The mezuzah
has been treated to look like the old
Biblical stones. This mezuzah beautifully
signifies the sanctity of the Jewish home.
This astonishing mezuzah is made of
quarried Jerusalem stone. The Shema
blessing is inscribed in Hebrew, rendered
in the authentic script of the Sofer Stam
(scribe). The mezuzah has been treated
to look like the old Biblical stones. This is
a special occasion gift that signifies the
blessing of the Jewish home.
quarried Jerusalem stone. The Shema
blessing is inscribed in Hebrew, rendered
in the authentic script of the Sofer Stam
(scribe). The mezuzah has been treated
to look like the old Biblical stones. This is
a special occasion gift that signifies the
blessing of the Jewish home.
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