Mezuzah
Vines - Green Patina
by Gary Rosenthal
A ''mezuzah'' generally refers to a small case containing a prayer scroll, which is affixed to the doorframe of a Jewish home, synagogue or business. According to Orthodox Jewish tradition, a mezuzah is affixed to every door in the dwelling, except closets and washrooms.
Click to learn how to hang a mezuzah.
Written on the scroll is a prayer called the ''Shema,'' which is composed of two passages from the book of Deuteronomy. The prayer is one of the earliest written declarations of monotheism in human history, which survives to this day. The prayer serves as a promise to adhere to the commandments as written in the Torah (the Hebrew Bible), and to speak of the commandments often, and to teach them to one's children. Click to read a translation of the mezuzah scroll text. A mezuzah is generally believed to be a reminder of the promise to keep the commandments of the Torah. ''Mezuzzot'' is the plural form of ''mezuza.''
A mezuzah is also thought to bring blessings into the home.
A kosher mezuzah, as defined by Orthodox Jewish tradition, contains a scroll that has been precisely hand-scribed on parchment with a quill pen. This parchment is then analyzed to ensure that each individual letter of the prayer has been scribed with accuracy.
Currently, there are many individuals who prefer a printed paper scroll, rather than the kosher parchment scroll. A mezuza with such a scroll is not considered kosher. Gallery Judaica will include a paper scroll, without charge, with mezuzot purchased without a kosher scroll.
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