| What is a Mezuzah? | | | | your eyes, and you shall teach them to your |
| The Mezuzah (Me-zu-zah' - accent on last syllable - | | | | children to speak about them when you dwell in |
| plural Mezuzot ) is a small case containing a small | | | | your house, when you travel on the road, when |
| hand written parchment scroll (called a klaf). The | | | | you lie down and when you arise. You shall |
| scroll contains the words of the "Shema Yisrael" | | | | inscribe them on the doorpost of your houses |
| prayer from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and | | | | and your gates. So that you and your children |
| Deuteronomy 11:13. | | | | may live many years on the land that G-d has |
| Shema Yisrael means "Hear O Israel." The first | | | | promised to your forefathers, as many as the |
| sentence declares, "Hear O Israel, the Lord is | | | | days that the heavens are above the earth." |
| they God, the Lord is one." It is the Jewish | | | | Where to place the Mezuzah |
| confession of faith. The parchment of the | | | | According to some authorities, the Mezuzah must |
| Mezuzah is hand lettered. It is prepared by a | | | | be placed on every doorway except closets and |
| specially trained scribe and must be perfect. It | | | | bathrooms. According to others, it must only be |
| should be examined periodically to ensure that it is | | | | placed on the entryway of the house. Some view |
| in order. | | | | the Mezuzah as a good luck charm, but respected |
| A Translation of the Text in the Mezuzah | | | | authorities deride this view as superstition. |
| "Hear O Israel, G-d our Lord is G-d the Only One | | | | To buy Mezuzot: |
| You shall love G-d with all your heart, with all your | | | | 1. If you are going to put Mezuzot on every |
| soul and with all your power. These words which I | | | | doorway in your home, count the number of |
| command you today shall be on your heart. You | | | | doors and archways in your home to decide how |
| shall teach them to your children and you shall | | | | many Mezuzot you will need. A mezuzah should |
| speak about them when you dwell in your house, | | | | be mounted on every doorway, including front |
| when you travel on the road, when you lie down | | | | and back gateways if you have them, but |
| and when you arise. You shall tie them as a sign | | | | excluding the bathroom and small closet doors. |
| on your arm and as a head ornament between | | | | 2. Choose a practical size that suits your needs. |
| your eyes. you shall inscribe them on the | | | | Mezuzot range in size from a few inches to nearly |
| doorposts of your home and your gates. | | | | a foot in length. The average is about 5 inches |
| And it shall happen, if you obey my | | | | long. You may also purchase decorative |
| commandments which I command you today, to | | | | protective cases that fit over the Mezuzah. |
| love G-d within all your hearts and all your souls | | | | 3. You may want to buy extra Mezuzot to use if |
| that I will give the rains of the land in its proper | | | | a mezuzah is declared invalid and must be |
| time, the light rains and the heavy rains, and you | | | | replaced. |
| will gather your grain, your wine and your oil. I will | | | | 4. Buy your Mezuzot from a reliable and kosher |
| give grass in your fields for your livestock. You | | | | source. You can find kosher mezuzot in a reliable |
| will have enough to eat and you will be satisfied. | | | | Judaica store, offers wide selection at low prices. |
| Guard yourselves, lest your hearts lead you | | | | 5. Select a Mezuzah case. Your Mezuzot will need |
| astray and you will serve other gods and you will | | | | protection. Even a clear plastic cover will do, but |
| bow to them. G-d will then become angry with | | | | most people like to enclose their Mezuzot in |
| you and will withhold the rain, and the land will not | | | | decorated cases. |
| produce its bounty. You will quickly be lost from | | | | 6. Have your Mezuzot checked regularly. An |
| upon the good land that G-d has granted you. You | | | | annual check by a scribe before the holiday of |
| shall place these words on your hearts and on | | | | Rosh Hashanah is customary among many |
| your souls. You shall tie them as a sign on your | | | | orthodox Jews. |
| arms and they shall be head ornaments between | | | | |