| A Mezuzah is a parchment affixed to every | | | | The Mezuzah is kept in a closed case to protect |
| doorway in the home (except bathrooms and | | | | it. Although the essence of the mitzvah is the klaf |
| closets) based on the commandment in | | | | (i.e. the scroll), because the mitzvah of Mezuzah is |
| Deuteronomy 6:9. Written by hand on the | | | | so cherished and kosher mezuzah scrolls are |
| parchment are two passages from the Torah: | | | | prepared so meticulously, Jews often house them |
| Shema Yisrael (Deuteronomy 6:9) and Vehaya im | | | | in finely crafted cases embellished with artistic |
| shamo'a (Deuteronomy 11:21). The first is a | | | | designs. Over the ages designing and producing |
| declaration of the unity of God and our total | | | | Mezuzah cases has been elevated to an art form. |
| commitment to Him, while the second proclaims | | | | Mezuzahs are produced from an endless variety |
| that the destiny of the Jewish people depends on | | | | of materials, from silver and precious metals, to |
| its loyalty to the Torah. | | | | wood, stone, ceramics and pewter. In fact, the |
| Hallow Your Home | | | | beauty of many of these cases has led some to |
| The symbolism is clear: we must hallow our | | | | forget that the important part of the Mezuzah is |
| homes and workplaces as places where God is | | | | the parchment. Some dealers of Mezuzah cases |
| ever-present and where we implement His design | | | | sell a mere copy of the text that has been |
| for how the world should be. Together the two | | | | photocopied onto paper, but only a leather |
| passages affirm that this home will be filled with | | | | parchment written by a qualified sofer is |
| the spirit of dedication to God, that the younger | | | | halachically valid. |
| generation in it will be brought up to honor the | | | | Write it Right |
| Torah and keep its mitzvahs and that all that | | | | A sofer, or ritual scribe, should be religiously |
| happens to us comes from God and is affected | | | | observant, have exemplary character and be |
| by our spiritual endeavors. | | | | knowledgeable about the laws of sofrut. After |
| This mitzvah ensures that whenever we enter or | | | | learning the halachic intricacies of sofrut the |
| leave our house we encounter God's name, | | | | sofer-in-training generally does an apprenticeship |
| prompting us to realize that everything in the | | | | (shimush) under an expert scribe. By the time a |
| world is temporal except the service of God, | | | | sofer writes his first Mezuzah he has typically |
| which lasts forever and always. | | | | spent over a year learning the trade. |
| A Mitzvah With a Touch of Artistry | | | | |