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In Judaism, a mezuzah (plural: mezuzot) is the scroll inside a case with the Hebrew letter ש character inscribed, rightside up on the upper-exterior of the case. The term is often applied to the case in which the scroll is mounted, as well as the scriptures within. Jewish law prescribes for the affixing of mezuzot on doorposts. Since almost every Jewish home has a mezuzah on its front doorpost, historically, it was a means of recognition in times of persecution.
The scroll contains two paragraphs from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Deuteronomy 11:13-21) that specifically command the practice of hanging the mezuzah. The scriptures are written in Hebrew.
Affixing the mezuzah
According to halakha the case should be placed on the right side of the door (from point of view of one entering the building or room) on the lower part of the upper third of the doorpost (or around shoulder height for high doorways), within approximately 3 inches of a doorway opening. The case should be permanently affixed with nails, screws, glue, or strong double-sided tape. Ashkenazi Jews tilt the case so the top slants towards the room you are entering, but other Jews place the case vertically.
The procedure is to hold the mezuzah against the spot upon which it will be affixed, then recite a blessing, which translates as "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His mitzvot, and commanded us to affix a mezuzah." After the blessing is made, the mezuzah is attached. When affixing many mezuzot, the blessing is made only before affixing the first mezuzah, while keeping the others in mind.
Observant Jews affix mezuzot on all the doors of their homes with the exception of bathrooms or very small rooms like walk-in closets.
Making the scroll
The rendering of the Hebrew text on the scroll is a matter of great care. Each letter must be written precisely, preferably by a certified Sofer (Scribe), as one letter written incorrectly would make the scroll invalid (pasul). As there are twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, the scripture is written in a single column on 22 scored lines. The reverse side has the name of God, written upon it. The paper is then rolled into a scroll, (evoking the image of a Torah scroll) such that the first words 'Shema Yisrael' ("Hear O Israel...") will be read first upon unrolling.
Text of the scroll
In English translation, the scriptures are:
from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 :
"Hear O Israel, God our Lord is God the Only One
You shall love God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your power. These words which I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them to your children and you shall speak about them when you dwell in your house, when you travel on the road, when you lie down and when you arise. You shall tie them as a sign on your arm and as a head ornament between your eyes. You shall inscribe them on the doorposts of your home and your gates.
from Deuteronomy 11:13-21. :
And it shall happen, if you obey my commandments which I command you today, to love G-d within all your hearts and all your souls that I will give the rains of the land in its proper time, the light rains and the heavy rains, and you will gather your grain, your wine and your oil. I will give grass in your fields for your livestock. You will have enough to eat and you will be satisfied. Guard yourselves, lest your hearts lead you astray and you will serve other gods and you will bow to them. G-d will then become angry with you and will withhold the rain, and the land will not produce its bounty. You will quickly be lost from upon the good land that G-d has granted you. You shall place these words on your hearts and on your souls. You shall tie them as a sign on your arms and they shall be head ornaments between your eyes, and you shall teach them to your children to speak about them when you dwell in your house, when you travel on the road, when you lie down and when you arise. You shall inscribe them on the doorpost of your houses and your gates. So that you and your children may live many years on the land that G-d has promised to your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth."
Checking the scroll
Because the scroll is tightly wound, it is easy for letters to become cracked or flake off entirely. As a scroll with a cracked or missing letter is no longer considered valid, halakha mandates that every scroll must be checked by a sofer (trained scribe) twice every seven years, to ensure that it has not been damaged.
Customs
When passing through a doorway with a mezuzah, Jews touch the mezuzah and kiss their fingers.
See also
List of Jewish Prayers and Blessings
External links
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