A mezuzah (Hebrew: "doorpost"; plural: mezuzot) is a piece of parchment (often contained in a decorative case) inscribed with specified Hebrew

rew verses from the Torah(Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21). These verses comprise the Jewish prayer "Shema Yisrael", beginning with the phrase: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is One" 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 knobposts of your house" (Deuteronomy 6:9). Some interpret Jewish law to require a mezuzah on every doorway in the home apart from bathrooms and closets too small to qualify as rooms.[1] The parchment is prepared by a qualified scribe (a "sofer stam") who has undergone many years of meticulous training, and the verses are written in black indelible ink with a special quillpen. The parchment is then rolled up and placed inside the case.

Affixing the mezuzah

According to halakha, the mezuzah should be placed on the right side of the door or doorpost, in the upper third of the doorpost (i.e., approximately shoulder height),[2] within approximately 3 inches (8 cm) of the doorway opening.[citation needed] Care should be taken to not tear or damage the parchment or the wording on it, as this will invalidate themezuzah, which is considered Torah. Generally, halakha requires that mezuzot be affixed within 30 days of moving into a rented house or apartment. This applies to Jews living in theDiaspora (i.e., outside of the Land of Israel). For a purchased home or apartment in the Diaspora, or a residence in Israel (owned or rented), the mezuzah is affixed immediately upon moving in. The reason for this difference is that there is an assumption that when a Jew lives in Israel, Israel shall remain his/her permanent residence, whereas a home in the diaspora is temporary.

Mezuzah affixed to a door frame on South Street in Philadelphia.

Where the doorway is wide enough, Ashkenazi Jews tilt the mezuzah so that the top slants toward the room into which the door opens. This is done to accommodate the variant opinions of themedieval Rabbis Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam as to whether it should be placed horizontally or vertically, and also to imply that God and the Torah (which the mezuzah symbolizes) are entering the room. [3] Most Sephardi, Mizrahi and other non-Ashkenazi Jews affix the mezuzah vertically, though Spanish and Portuguese Jews living in countries where the majority of Jews are Ashkenazim usually place it slanting.

The procedure is to hold the mezuzah against the spot upon which it will be affixed, then recite a blessing:

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Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh haolam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu likboa mezuzah. Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His mitzvot, and commanded us to affix a mezuzah. Any Jew can recite the blessing provided he or she is old enough to understand the significance of the mitzvah. After the blessing, the mezuzah is attached. When affixing several mezuzot, it is sufficient to recite the blessing once, before affixing the first one.

The Mezuzah is affixed on the right-hand side of the door as you enter the room. It should be placed at a slight angle, with the top of the Mezuzah pointing toward the inside of the room and the bottom pointing toward the outside. The proper place for the Mezuzah is at the bottom of the top third of the doorway. In other words, measure the height of the doorway and divide by three; then align the bottom of the Mezuzah with the point two-thirds of the way up the doorpost (see illustration). In most homes, the doorways are

approximately 78 inches high, so the bottom of your Mezuzah should be no lower than 52 inches from the floor. If your doorway is much higher (say 90 inches or higher), affix the Mezuzah at shoulder height, even if this is lower than the upper third of the doorway. If the doorpost is very low, a rabbinical authority should be consulted in order to determine where the Mezuzah should be mounted. If the doorpost or archway is wider (thicker) than a handbreadth (approximately 3 inches), the Mezuzah should be mounted within the outermost handbreadth of the doorpost, rather than in the center. However, if there is a protrusion (such as a jamb) running along the height of the doorpost, some rabbinical authorities advise affixing the Mezuzah on the protrusion.

The Right Side

There can be confusion as to which is the right side of the doorway. Is it the right as you enter a room or as you exit? And what about a doorway that is between two rooms (e.g., a doorway between a kitchen and dining room)? The basic rules are:

For the door at the entrance of the house, the right as you enter is always considered to be the right side.

Inside the house, if the doorway can be used as an entrance from either side, the right side is determined by how the door opens. Whichever room the door opens into is considered the primary room, and the Mezuzah is placed on the side that is on the right when entering that room.

The laws defining the terms entrance and exit are many and complex. If there is no door, if there is a swinging or sliding door, or if you are in doubt that you affixed the Mezuzah correctly, it is advisable to have a reliable rabbi visit your home to determine the correct location for the Mezuzah.

Young Children
When one has young children and they cannot reach the Mezuzah to kiss it, the Mezuzah should still not be placed lower than the top third of the doorway. Instead, you can lift your children up to the Mezuzah or keep a stool nearby so they can reach it on their own. Doing this provides an

opportunity to instill in themand yourselfa valuable lesson: if an ideal is beyond your reach, strive upwards towards it instead of compromising the ideal.

When There Is No Room

There are cases when it is physically impossible to affix the Mezuzah on the inside of the doorpost itselffor example, a swinging door interferes with the placement of the Mezuzah. In such a case, the preferred approach would be to make a groove that is less than a handbreadth deep, and place the Mezuzah in the groove. If that is not possible, then it would be permitted to affix the Mezuzah behind the door, provided it was placed on the doorpost. When necessary, it can be put on either the inner or outer side of the doorpost, as long as it is within about three inches from the opening of the doorway. You may also place the Mezuzah on the inner side of the doorpost if you are genuinely concerned that it will be stolen or defaced were it to be mounted on the actual doorpost.

Mezuzah Placement and Blessing

Where should the mezuzah be placed? What is the bracha for themezuzah? When is it said? How would you characterize a gateway requiring affixing amezuzah? Which is preferable- a large or a small mezuzah? What is written in the mezuzah? Can a mezuzah be written in any language?

The text of a mezuzah comprises the passages of Shema Yisrael and Vehaya im shamoa. It must be hand written, in Hebrew only, on a kosher parchment. In the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 285a) it says, For the sin of not honoring themezuzah, a man's son and daughters will die young, as it is written, `And you shall write them for Mezuzot upon your house.' And

following this, it is written `So that your days may be lengthened' etc This is from the source in Tractate Shabbat 32b: From here we learn that inattention to fulfilling the mitzvah (halachic law) ofmezuzah can cause terrible catastrophes chas v'sholom. On the other hand, one who meticulously fulfills this mitzvah is assured of a long life, as it says lima'an yirbu yimaychem... Is there a connection between the laws of themezuzah and the smearing of blood on themezuzot of Bnei Yisrael (the Israelites) inEgypt? Does the mitzvah of mezuzahcommemorate the commandment upon our forefathers in Egypt, to put blood on themezuzot at the entrances to their homes as a sign for the demon to pass over them without causing them harm? It is possible, but we have no written proof. Those who interpret the clues even explain the word mezuzot as the reversal of the letters zuz mavet (move over death). And the letters shin dalet yud are explained as the acronym for Shomer Daltot Yisrael (He watches over Jewish homes). In any case these letters are one of Hashems names and they may not be uttered in anything other than holiness. Despite all that has been said here, it is important to emphasize that the mezuzah is not a good luck charm. I remember an incident where a woman who asked me, after having her one and onlymezuzah checked, if the talisman of themezuzah works also on the inner rooms of the house. I answered her that this is halacha, not a talisman. I also explained to her that the halacha requires a mezuzah on each and every doorway of every clean room. She then replied that her bathroom and toilet were kept very clean! Every place with an entrance, creating an opening, requires a mezuzah. This definition is sometimes insufficient. The absence of a door, does not excuse one of the obligation of a mezuzah, at least according to our sages. In a doorway or on a divider that opens but does not have a lintel or a rafter, a mezuzah is not necessary. A vestibule with pillars is not a conglomeration of openings and therefore these "openings do not require mezuzot.

The location of the mezuzah- On the doorpost to the right upon entering the room, 2/3 up on a regular doorpost, the mezuzahis placed upright or slightly slanted, with the top of the mezuzah cover pointing inward at the room. The exit to the terrace is not the entrance, and therefore the mezuzah at this entrance will be placed to the right, when one enters the house from the terrace, as with every other entrance in the house. On a closed porch, some say that entrance to it is as entering a room and consequently, the mezuzah should be to the right when facing the terrace. In a room with two entrances, the rule is that it depends on the frequency of use of the doorway. A room that does not measure 43 sq. feet, such as a walk- in closet, does not require amezuzah. A long narrow room, despite the fact that it measures 43 sq. feet- some say that if there are not 4 cubits- about 6.5 feet, does not need a mezuzah. Such a room necessitates amezuzah without a bracha. The entrance to a house must have amezuzah according to halachic law as it is written bisharecha. The definition of a gateway is not a decorative frame at the entrance to a courtyard. Rather, it is an entrance attached to a gate, which renders entry to the complex enclosed within impossible, without passing through it. It has the shape of an opening, as well as a lintel. beit shaar means a shack like for ashomer (guard). Such a place requires amezuzah even if its smaller than 43 sq. feet. Therefore, a small entrance with a doorpost, preceding the entrance to the house necessitates a mezuzah because of its classification as a gate to the house. A mezuzah, must be affixed and not just hang. This is also implied in the text of thebracha, asher kidshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu likboa mezuzah. People occasionally purchase a small parchment for their mezuzot after receiving amezuzah cover as a gift, which they want to use it. Please note

that mezuzot measuring less than four inches long are not recommended, if only because of the difficulty to accurately write such small letters.

Mezuzah
The Mezuzah is a small case in which a small hand written scroll of parchment (called a klaf) is placed. The scroll contains the words of the "Shema Israel" (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) passage, in which God commands Jews to keep His words constantly in thier minds and in their hearts. The scroll also contains another passage (Deuteronomy 11:13). The passages are written in Hebrew, and contain 22 lines of 713 painstakingly written letters. The meaning of the Hebrew word Mezuzah is simply "a doorpost". The meaning of the words "Shema Israel" is "Hear Israel". On the back of the scroll, a name of God is written. The scroll is then rolled so that the first letter of the Name (the letter Shin) is visible (or, more commonly, the letter Shin is written on the on the upper exterior of the case).

Mezuzah

Every time you pass through a door with aMezuzah on it, you kiss your fingers and touch them to the Mezuzah, expressing love and respect for God and his commandments. The Mezuzah is not, as some may think, a good-luck charm, nor does it have any connection with the lamb's blood placed on the doorposts in Egypt. Rather, it is a constant reminder of God's presence and God's commandments.

Where to place Mezuzot

The Mezuzah should be placed on the doorposts of of every Jewish home. Mezuzot should also be placed in every room within the home. A place serving regularly for unclean use, such as a bathroom, is exempt from Mezuzah. TheMezuzah should also be affixed on gates leading to communal places, synagogues, schools, and Jewish ownen business establishments, even on gates of cities, symbolizing the sovereignty of the commandments over the Jewish social and communal life in all its aspects. The exact placement of a Mezuzah is on the right side of the doorpost (when entering the home or room), on the lower part of the upper third of the doorpost (or around shoulder height for high doorways). The case should be permanently affixed with nails, screws, glue, or strong double-sided tape.

The Mezuzah is affixed at an angle becasue the rabbis could not decide whether it should be placed horizontally or vertically, so they compromised. The top of the Mezuzah should be slanted toward the room the door opens into.

Mezuzah Scroll

It is proper to remove a Mezuzah when you move, and in fact, it is usually recommended. If you leave it in place, the subsequent owner may treat it with disrespect.

Kosher Mezuzah
For the Mezuzah to be Kosher, it must meet the following criteria: The Mezuzah must contain a scroll The scroll must be hand written by a certified God fearing scribe (Sofer) with special black ink and quill on one piece of specially prepared and scored parchment The scroll may not contain mistakes or additions to its text. Any mistake, even one letter that was written incorrectly, would render the scroll, and the Mezuzah invalid (pasul). The Mezuzah must be affixed to the right side doorpost on an angle A small ceremony, calld Channukat Ha-Bayit (dedication of the house) was done

The biblical source for the Mitzvah of Mezuzah

The Bibical source of the mitzvah of mezuzah is found twice in Deuteronomy (Devarim), chapter 6, in the paragraph of Shema Yisroel (4-9) and Chapter 9, in the paragragh of Vehaya Im Shamoa (13-21). The Torah states in both paragraphs: 9. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. Deuteronomy, 6:9

The Mezuza Text

Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your resources. And these things that I command you today shall be upon your heart. And you shall teach them to your children, and you shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you go on the way, when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your arm and they shall be an ornament between your eyes. And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates. And it will be that if you hearken to my commandments that I command you today, to love the Lord, your God, and to serve him with all your hearts and all your souls. And I will place rain for your land in its proper time, the early and the late rains, that you may gather in your grain, your wine, and your oil. And I will provide grass in your field for your cattle, and you will eat and you will be satisfied. Watch yourselves, lest your heart be seduced and you turn astray and serve other gods, and prostrate yourselves to them.

And the wrath of God will be upon you, and he will restrain the heaven and there will be no rain, and the ground will not yield its produce, and you will be lost quickly from upon the good land that God gives you. And you shall place these words of mine on your hearts and on your souls, and you shall bind them as a sign upon your arms and they shall be ornaments between your eyes. And you shall teach them to your children to discuss them, when you sit in your house and when you go on the way, and when you lie down and when rise up. And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates, in order to prolong your days and the days of your children upon the good land that God swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of Heaven over earth.