To be kosher, the scroll must be made of parchment, although some cheaper ones are sold with a paper scroll. What Is Inside that Mezuzah? People also asked . A blessing precedes the hanging. The front door is the primary place to hang a mezuzah, but some observant Jews affix them to interior doors, too. The mezuzah itself consists of a small scroll of parchment (k'laf ) on which are written two biblical passages. The Rise, Fall and Future of Chinatowns in the U.S. Why Were the Pharisees the Bad Guys in the Bible? 6:4-9 and Deut. While the later commandments in Deuteronomy to hang a mezuzah have nothing to do with warding off plagues, the practice still resonates with modern Jews, offering rich spiritual blessings and even physical protections to those who observe it. Those same kosher qualifications apply to all the sacred texts in Judaism, including handwritten Torah scrolls and the leatherbound prayer boxes (phylacteries) known as tefillin that also contain tiny scrolls of parchment. The name "Shaddai" - which means "God Almighty" - is always inscribed on it. When God is about to pronounce the 10th and final plague on theEgyptians the death of the firstborn sons he commands the Jewish people to mark their doorposts with blood from a sacrificial lamb so that the destroyer will pass over them and let their children live. Mezuzah is the Hebrew word for doorframe. A mezuzah must be written on the parchment of a kosher animal. Lessin himself is a certified Jewish scribe known as a sofer. The process of putting up a mezuzah is also a special ceremony and involves a blessing and is done in a particular way and attached to a specific place on the doorpost. 11:13-21 .) It is of such importance that it is mentioned twice in the recital of the Shema prayer, which we say multiple times daily. That case is called a mezuzah, and while the eye-catching designs on its outside get most of the attention, its whats on the inside of a mezuzah that really counts. The parchment (the , -9 and 11:13-21. A true kosher mezuzah more on that in a second will contain a small window through which the name of God is visible. Included in those verses is the. The mezuzah is a reminder of God's presence and commandments. The parchment is prepared by a sofer (also called a sofer stam - ST"M," , being basically an acronym of the terms sofer Torah, tefillin, mezuzot), a scribe who has been trained to carve a quill and write with the proper calligraphy. The mezuzah should be affixed to the lower part of the upper third of the doorway at a 45 degree angle, tilted towards the inside of the room. The Mezuzah has great spiritual significance for the people of God because without it, the temptation to forget what God requires of them will be stronger and more people are bound to sin and rebel against the Lord. 5. 11:13-21.) The scroll itself should be a type of kosher parchment called klaf thats made from the skin of calf embryos, which are considered the most pliable and the most spiritually pure, says Lessin. If youre not Jewish, you may be unfamiliar with the small decorative case affixed to the right door frame of some homes or apartments. Shu"t Binyan Tziyyon 89, dated 20 Tammuz 5615 (1855 . The parchment and the ink need to be manufactured in a reliable kosher manner, the scribe who writes the prayers has to be properly trained and certified, and every letter and word of the prayer must be written correctly.. Special indelible ink written with a distinctive quill pen are used. Put the mezuzah in place on the top third of your doorpost at an angle with the . Some people spell it mezuzah, while others use a double z and spell it mezzuzah, mezuzzah or mezzuzzah.Others spell it without an h at the end, as in mezuza or mezzuza. But one actual commandment is to inspect the scroll inside your mezuzah twice every seven years. In the upper third of doorpost height (shoulder high). For more, visit www.myjewishlearning.com. The ink for a mezuzah scroll must be sourced from a handful of kosher purveyors who make jet-black ink from a short list of approved ingredients: iron sulfate, gall nuts (a woody deformation that grows on oak trees as a reaction to wasp eggs), tree sap and water. The most expensive mezuzah ever sold is also one of the largest ever made. Even if youre not Jewish, Shapero says that its a blessing for the doorposts of any home to be graced with a mezuzah. The case is then affixed to a doorway in fulfillment of the commandment given in Deuteronomy 6:9, "And you shall write them upon the doorposts (mezuzot) of your house, and upon your . Even the ink and quill are custom made to meet the necessary requirements. The prayer is recited in Hebrew, but in English it says, Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.. Inside every decorative mezuzah is a tightly wound scroll that contains the two most sacred prayers in Judaism (These are the verses of Deut. word mezuzah literally means "doorpost," but it actually refers to the scroll -- or klaf--enclosed in the ornamental case. The Mezuzah, Today . Mezuzah is one of the most important Jewish Symbols, and placing a Mezuzah on the door entry is an important part of Jewish culture. Whether or not youre Jewish, the focus on family, on tradition and on teaching respect for others inside your home is very important. The scroll should be rolled from left to right, so that Gd's name, " Sha-dai," is facing the front. You might be most familiar with the word kosher as it applies to food (as in, pork products and shellfish are not kosher), but other aspects of Jewish life also need to be kosher, including the mezuzah. It is an external marker that Jews proudly live here and that we're not afraid to say so.". A mezuzah (Hebrew: "doorpost"; plural: mezuzot) is a piece of parchment, known as a klaf, contained in a decorative case and inscribed with specific Hebrew verses from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21).These verses consist of the Jewish prayer Shema Yisrael, beginning with the phrase: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord (is) our God, the Lord is One". The commandment appears twice in the book of Deuteronomy in connection with two of the most important prayers in Judaism, known as the Shma (or Shema) and the Vahavta. Your email address will not be published. Where you marked the door frame is the place where the bottom of the mezuzah should hang. The scroll itself should be a type of kosher parchment called klaf that's made from the skin of calf embryos, which are considered the most pliable and the most spiritually pure, says Lessin. Sephardim place the mezuzah vertically. Many recommend checking twice every seven years. In the plural form, the Hebrew word for mezuzah is mezuzot but again, in English, there are varied spellings: mezuzahs, mezzuzahs, mezzuzzahs, etc., and the transliteration, mezuzot, mezzuzot, mezuzzot, etc. MEZUZAH (Heb. Contrary to popular belief, the mezuzah is not the outer case, but the mezuzah scroll inside containing the text of the most famous Jewish prayer, the Shema. The most popular custom is to touch the mezuzah every time you pass it and then kiss your fingertips as a sign of affection for the sacred prayers held inside. The law calls for a mezuzah to be placed on every doorpost of the home, with the exception of bathrooms and closets. Even in secular households, it's common to see the decorative case affixed upon doorways. Remove the scroll and gently examine it to make sure that its not damaged in any way from water, the sun or insects, says Shapero. Your email address will not be published. If this is impossible due to the thinness of the doorframe, place the mezuzah at a 90 degree angle and continue rotating the mezuzah counter-clockwise as much as the door frame will allow. Home | What Is Inside that Mezuzah? The mezuzah is affixed to the doorposts of the Jewish house, most every door (except bathrooms or very small rooms that people do not regularly use). Typically, today, it's common to see the parchment placed inside a decorative case, and that affixed TO the doorpost of the home. Although the text is identical, the actual script of 'font' varies somewhat. With all that, the mezuzah is more than an item. In some homes, you will find a, on every door jamb (except bathrooms, closets, and the like). But the most important thing to remember when hanging a mezuzah is to say the prayer that goes along with the mitzvah. But one actual commandment is to inspect the scroll inside your mezuzah twice every seven years. custom. In Deuteronomy, after recording each of the prayers, God commands his people to write them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates.. Two passages of Torah are written in the mezuzah: 'Shema' [Deut. A building not used as a permanent residence, such as a sukkah, does not need a mezuzah. Sephardic Jews (who come from the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa) traditionally hang it straight. The prayer is recited in Hebrew, but in English it says, "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.". If words or individual letters have been damaged, then its probably no longer kosher. Originally Published August 17-18, 2018. ) Whether or not youre Jewish, the focus on family, on tradition and on teaching respect for others inside your home is very important. Make sure to carefully align the the tape with the edges of the case before you stick it down. The Shema is the most important prayer in Judaism because it reminds Jewish people that there is only . "The parchment and the ink need to be manufactured in a reliable kosher manner, the scribe who writes the prayers has to be properly trained and certified, and every letter and word of the prayer must be written correctly.". It should be attached at the top and the bottom to be absolutely certain that a holy object will not hit the floor. The mezuzah case can be made of almost anything, as long as it allows access to the klaf so that it may be checked for kashrut (kosherness) periodically. Inside every decorative mezuzah is a tightly wound scroll that contains the two most sacred prayers in Judaism (These are the verses of Deut. As it is with most Jewish traditions, the rules and regulations surrounding the mezuzah are very specific. Published August 24-25, 2018. In many homes the mezuzah is only on the front and maybe the back door. In fact, since it is the actual written Shema prayer that makes up the substance of the mezuzah, the mitzvah is doubly interrelated with the Shema the . Inside the case is a piece of parchment paper with a sacred Jewish prayer. But the most important thing to remember when hanging a mezuzah is to say the prayer that goes along with themitzvah. The words must be handwritten by an expert scribe well-versed in the intricacies of the script and its laws. The Meaning of Mezuzah. Kosher Mezuzahs Written by Expert Scribes. It is customary to recite, "May God protect my going out and coming in, now and forever." The Shema is the most important prayer in Judaism because it reminds Jewish people that there is only one God. The Mezuzah should be placed inside a protective case. For example, it must be written on parchment made from a kosher species of animal, such as a cow, a sheep or a goat. But one actual commandment is to inspect the scroll inside your mezuzah twice every seven years. The mezuzah as it is known is actually a piece of parchment, called a klaf, with specific verses from the Torah that is then placed inside a mezuzah case, which is then affixed to the doorposts of a Jewish home. It can be spelled many different ways; mezuzah, mezzuzah, and mezuzot. The mezuzah, a small box which contains a prayer known as the shema written on parchment and is attached to doorposts, is part of the religion of Judaism (Deuteronomy ch.6). Inside each mezuzah is a handwritten piece of parchment called a klaf. A mezuzah ( , literally "door jamb," plural mezuzot) consists of a piece of parchment enclosed in a case. Inside every decorative mezuzah is a tightly wound scroll that contains the two most sacred prayers in Judaism (These are the verses of Deut. Those same kosher qualifications apply to all the sacred texts in Judaism, including handwritten Torah scrolls and the leatherbound prayer boxes (phylacteries) known astefillinthat also contain tiny scrolls of parchment. What is the source for attaching a Mezuzah to the doorpost? The World Famous Mezuzah, as its known, measures 3 feet 7 inches (1 meter and 10 centimeters) andsold in auctionfor $51,361 in 2009. The person and the equipment and the method must all be kosher. A mezuzah is affixed to the doorframe in Jewish homes to fulfill the mitzvah (Biblical commandment) to inscribe the words of the Shema "on the doorposts of your house" (Deuteronomy 6:9). Best cheap low prices on all brands, great closeouts deal offers, amazing discounts & promotions, fast free shipping delivery available and free gifts, The Sofer Stam (scribe) who writes the words on the. Who Was the Mysterious Melchizedek in the Bible? The first time the word appears in the Torah is in the Exodus account of Moses freeing the Israelites from bondage under Pharoah. The principal behind the mezuzah is a beautiful thing, says Shapero. And you shall teach them to The scroll inside the mezuzah is written in Hebrew. The most important component of a mezuzah is the scroll itself, says Shapero. A stone doorframe found in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyrais etched with the text of theShmaand dates from the third century C.E., but likely reflects a much older custom. Inside the case there is a small parchment scroll, handwritten by a scribe, containing selected verses from the Torah. It is important to note that a Sephardic Mezuzah is perfectly kosher for Ashkenazi Jews and vise versa. These are the Jewish prayer "Shema Yisrael.". Its etymology is obscure; it has been suggested that it is derived from the Assyrian manzazu, but this is by no means certain.The Bible twice enjoins (Deut. jewish. Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security, A stone doorframe found in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. The Hebrew word mezuzah simply means doorpost; however, the doorpost of a house can be a sign of what a particular house epitomizes. Copyrights, All rights reserved to Israel-Catalog.com 2000-2022. A mezuzah serves two functions: First, every time you enter or This is a compromise between Rashi (who said they should be hu - (Mezuzah - Mezuzot) 11 May 2021. A Jewish person entering the house touches the mezuzah and then kisses his or her fingers as an expression of devotion to the verses it contains. Some people also wear a mezuzah on a necklace. With these cases one only needs to remove the plug and possibly one screw to remove and reinsert the Mezuzah. 6:4-9andDeut. Included in those verses is the Shema, which tells us to affix these words - the instructions to love and teach and talk, etc., - in various places, including upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates. Thus we are affixing the words which direct us to affix, which once affixed we can no longer actually read. being basically an acronym of the terms , ), a scribe who has been trained to carve a quill and write with the proper calligraphy. An official Jewish commandment is to check the scroll inside the mezuzah twice every seven years to make sure it is not showing any signs of damage. So the 18-year-old District resident volunteered to distribute mezuzot instead. Nowadays all mezuzos are written with 'Shaddai' and 'kuzu bemuchsuz kuzu' on their backs. On the Klaf the verses Deuteronomy 6:9-4 and 11:13-21 are written. 3. And these things that I command you today shall be upon your heart. What Is that Flame-Like Light Above the Ark? Browse 165 mezuzah stock photos and images available, or search for jewish or torah to find more great stock photos and pictures. What Is Yours? A true kosher mezuzah more on that in a second will contain a small window . In the ancient times, no another nation was given the privilege to . The box can be made of many different materials. On the back of the mezuzah, a Hebrew word Shaddai is written. If words or individual letters have been damaged, then its probably no longer kosher. You might be most familiar with the word kosher as it applies to food (as in, pork products and shellfish are not kosher), but other aspects of Jewish life also need to be kosher, including the mezuzah. ), parchment scroll affixed to the doorpost of rooms in the Jewish home. On the back of the scroll is written the word Shadai in Hebrew, one of the names of God. If you choose that method, have the top of the mezuzah angled toward the house. A true kosher mezuzah more on that in a second will contain a small window . There are many online Judaica stores where you can buy a kosher replacement scroll. On the outside of the mezuzah the Hebrew letter shin . A mezuzah () is a kosher parchment scroll (inscribed with Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 on one side and the word Shaddai on the other side) that is rolled up and inserted into a decorative case. . Inside every decorative mezuzah is a tightly wound scroll that contains the two most sacred prayers in Judaism (These are the verses of Deut. Commandment to teach these words to our children - the mitzvah of Chinukh. A true kosher mezuzah more on that in a second will contain a small window through which the name of God is visible. The parchment (the klaf) holds verses from Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:4-9 and 11:13-21. The word mezuzah means "doorpost" in Hebrew. By Dovid Zaklikowski , Austin, TX. While not much is known about the long history of the mezuzah, it's believed that Jews originally followed the commandments in Deuteronomy by writing or inscribing the prayers (or key words from the prayers) directly on the doorposts of their homes (it may have even been borrowed from a similar Egyptian tradition). That's the tradition among Ashkenazi Jews (those with an Eastern European background) who tell a story of two rabbis who struck a compromise between hanging the mezuzah vertically or horizontally. 3. . The principal behind the mezuzah is a beautiful thing, says Shapero. Remove the scroll and gently examine it to make sure that its not damaged in any way from water, the sun or insects, says Shapero. Hammer in the nail or secure one half of the mezuzah with whatever alternative hanging material you're using. The first time the word appears in the Torah is in the Exodus account of Moses freeing the Israelites from bondage under Pharoah. The Mezuzah serves as a constant reminder of G-d's presence and of every Jewish person's obligations towards Him. It takes a trained sofer between two and three hours to carefully write the Hebrew prayers on a mezuzah scroll. "Whether or not you're Jewish, the focus on family, on tradition and on teaching respect for others inside your home is very important. That case is called a mezuzah, and while the eye-catching designs on its outside get most of the attention, its whats on the inside of a mezuzah that really counts. Commandment to recite these passages every morning and evening. A mezuzah is a small box that is placed on the right doorpost of Jewish homes. The Klaf is placed in a container that can be ornate or plain ranging from metal to plastic. On the back of the scroll is written the word Shadai in Hebrew, one of the names of God. "And thou shalt write them upon the doorposts of thy house and upon thy gates," the Bible commands. Lessin himself is a certified Jewish scribe known as asofer. Hanging a mezuzah on one's door is a Biblical commandment and a Jewish tradition to this day. Mezuzah refers to the doorposts - Jews are commanded to write 'these words' on the doorposts of the house and one the gates, and the pa. The blessing is said while holding the mezuzah, just before affixing it to the doorpost: , - , : Sometimes on the outside of the container, and customarily on the outside roll of the scroll is written , Shaddai, Almighty, which some say is an acronym for Shomer Daltot Yisrael, Guardian of Israels Doors (also seen above the Ark in our Sanctuary). If you choose that method, have the top of the mezuzah angled toward the house. The most important component of a mezuzah is the scroll itself, says Shapero. It is placed in the lower part of the top third of the doorway, at a slant with the lower part toward you as you head into the room. The original meaning of the word mezuzah is "doorpost" (cf. I was most impressed with the online representative, Avi, who went out of his way to help me. Any room that has two doorposts and an overhead lintel requires a mezuzah, so one should check with a rabbi. If even one letter of the text is missing, the mezuzah may not be used. Bring the mezuzah up to the wall or measure upwards if you know how tall the case is. Bathrooms, closets, laundry room, boiler room, and so forth, however, do not require a mezuzah. There are three main things that determine if a mezuzah is kosher, says Avraham Lessin, the Israel project coordinator for MyZuzah. June 2, 2015. At some point, and its not clear when, the tradition changed to writing the prayers on a small scroll of parchment, rolling up the scroll tightly and burying it in a notch cut out of the doorframe. Kosher Mezuzah Scrolls Written by Scribe is made out of kosher leather, and the three letters state the meaning "Keeper of the doors of Israel.". It definitely makes the word that is pronounced "Shaddai" using Hebrew letters. Of course the other main difference would be the custom. The general rule is to place a mezuzah on doors leading to rooms in which you eat or sleep (bedrooms, dining room, kitchen) but not on bathroom doors or the door to the garage, says Shapero. For thousands of years, Jewish families have marked the doorposts of their home in fulfillment of a commandment written in the Torah (the first five books of the HebrewBiblestarting with Genesis). The Shema is the most important prayer in Judaism because it reminds Jewish people that there is only one God. This is a very special piece of Judaica, and as such, many people like to make the case beautiful as well as protective.

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