One of the most obvious physical symbols of a Jewish home is the presence of a mezuzah on its doorposts. The Torah commands Jews to "write these [statements of faith] on the doorposts of your homes and gates." The word mezuzah itself literally means the side doorposts of a doorframe. However because of the commandment to "write [these commandments] on the doorposts of your homes and gates," the word mezuzah has come to mean the "writings" on the doorpost and not only the doorpost itself. The mezuzah, as it is commonly called today, is therefore a piece of parchment upon which a scribe has handwritten the main declarations of Jewish faith as quoted in the Torah - the Shema (Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One), V'ahavta (And you shall love the Lord your God, etc.), and Vhaya im shamoa (If you will listen to My commandments and do My will, etc.).
The size of the parchment can vary though most scribes prefer a decent sized piece of parchment so that they do not have to engage in micrography when writing the holy words. The parchment is then usually wrapped from right to left in the form of a tube, though this is not strictly required as the parchment may be used even in its original flat form. On the back of the parchment, three obscure Hebrew words are written that symbolize names of God. These names are not written explicitly but rather with substitute lettering. However the name of God, Shadai (shin, dalet, yud), is written on the back of the parchment clearly and prominently and when the mezuzah is rolled as a tube, it is the part of the mezuzah that is actually visible and that can be read.
The mezuzah parchment is affixed to the doorpost in a variety of fashions. In many of the stone homes here in Jerusalem a niche for the mezuzah is actually carved out of the stone and the parchment, wrapped as a tube and with a protective clear plastic covering it, is inserted into that niche. However, in most of the Jewish world, the parchment is inserted into a mezuzah case and that case is then nailed, screwed or glued on to the right hand doorpost of the house.
The mezuzah case has become a source of Jewish inspirational creativity for artisans, designers and craftsmen over the centuries. Every form of material has been employed in the manufacture of mezuzah cases - from gold and silver to wood and plastic. In the house of the wealthy and art lovers and collectors, the mezuzah cases were many times commissioned from leading craftsmen and were unique to that home and family. Most Jews however made do with simple materials and plain linear tube design. To satisfy a difference of opinion in halacha as to whether the mezuzah should be mounted to the doorpost in a vertical or horizontal fashion, a happy solution of placing the mezuzah case and its contents on the doorpost at a forty-five degree angle was agreed upon.
The mezuzah serves as a constant reminder of God's presence in our lives and homes. The custom of Jews was and is to kiss the mezuzah when entering or leaving the home. The mezuzah was also regarded as a protective device for the home and for all who lived therein, but being a direct commandment of the Torah, it never was relegated to the status of an amulet. The mezuzah has become one of the most beloved commandments observed by the people of Israel. In the State of Israel, almost every Jewish home, office and store, has a mezuzah on the doorpost that is visible. The mezuzah represents the continuity of Jewish family and Jewish generations. It identifies and inspires the Jewish home and it speaks to us about ourselves and our faith when "we go forth and when we come in." As such, it is one of the most powerful symbols of Jewish living.
The size of the parchment can vary though most scribes prefer a decent sized piece of parchment so that they do not have to engage in micrography when writing the holy words. The parchment is then usually wrapped from right to left in the form of a tube, though this is not strictly required as the parchment may be used even in its original flat form. On the back of the parchment, three obscure Hebrew words are written that symbolize names of God. These names are not written explicitly but rather with substitute lettering. However the name of God, Shadai (shin, dalet, yud), is written on the back of the parchment clearly and prominently and when the mezuzah is rolled as a tube, it is the part of the mezuzah that is actually visible and that can be read.
The mezuzah parchment is affixed to the doorpost in a variety of fashions. In many of the stone homes here in Jerusalem a niche for the mezuzah is actually carved out of the stone and the parchment, wrapped as a tube and with a protective clear plastic covering it, is inserted into that niche. However, in most of the Jewish world, the parchment is inserted into a mezuzah case and that case is then nailed, screwed or glued on to the right hand doorpost of the house.
The mezuzah case has become a source of Jewish inspirational creativity for artisans, designers and craftsmen over the centuries. Every form of material has been employed in the manufacture of mezuzah cases - from gold and silver to wood and plastic. In the house of the wealthy and art lovers and collectors, the mezuzah cases were many times commissioned from leading craftsmen and were unique to that home and family. Most Jews however made do with simple materials and plain linear tube design. To satisfy a difference of opinion in halacha as to whether the mezuzah should be mounted to the doorpost in a vertical or horizontal fashion, a happy solution of placing the mezuzah case and its contents on the doorpost at a forty-five degree angle was agreed upon.
The mezuzah serves as a constant reminder of God's presence in our lives and homes. The custom of Jews was and is to kiss the mezuzah when entering or leaving the home. The mezuzah was also regarded as a protective device for the home and for all who lived therein, but being a direct commandment of the Torah, it never was relegated to the status of an amulet. The mezuzah has become one of the most beloved commandments observed by the people of Israel. In the State of Israel, almost every Jewish home, office and store, has a mezuzah on the doorpost that is visible. The mezuzah represents the continuity of Jewish family and Jewish generations. It identifies and inspires the Jewish home and it speaks to us about ourselves and our faith when "we go forth and when we come in." As such, it is one of the most powerful symbols of Jewish living.