Marc Firestone: What is the Mezuzah?

W H AT I S T H E

M E Z U Z A H ?

C R E A T E D B Y M A R C F I R E S T O N E

• In traditional Jewish culture, mezuzahs consist of pieces of paper inside of a case that is hung on the doorway of a Jewish home.

• In Hebrew, the term “mezuzah” equates to “doorpost.”

• This tradition mostly occurs within the 30 days of a family or individual moving into a new home, but in Israel people tend to hand their mezuzahs immediately.

• Inside of the mezuzah case, which is often decorated but can be plain if the owner chooses, is the Torah verses Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11: 13-21, versus that serve to bless the house and showcase a Jewish household’s dedication to God.

• This famous Jewish prayer, also known as Shema, declares God’s unity and the Jewish members’ devotion to him.

• The sole purpose of the mezuzah case is to protect this prayer, which must be written very carefully, for if it is not in mint condition, it will be invalidated. Both the handwriting and the piece of parchment must not have any defects.

• Before hanging the mezuzah in any doorway within the new home besides the bathroom, a blessing must be recited in order for the mezuzah to activate and protect the house.

• This blessing is read as followed: “Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu liqbo’ah mezuzah.”

• Upon entering and leaving a home that contains a mezuzah in the doorway, it is tradition to touch the mezuzah and immediately after kiss the hand that touched it.

• In addition, the scroll inside of the mezuzah should be checked at least twice every seven years by a qualified scribe, also known as a “sofer.”

• The sofer will ensure that there are no defects with the scroll so that it can continue to bless the house.

• Most often, the mezuzah is marked with the letter Shin, which should be written on the top of the scroll after it is rolled so that it is the only visible letter before the scroll is unrolled.

• The mezuzah serves to act as a reminder of Jewish faith and as a symbol of God’s protection over the house and whoever enters the house.

• Through observation of the mezuzah, we are reminded that God is always with us, inside or outside of our homes.