What is a Mezuzah?

The Mezuzah (Me-zu-zah' - accent on last syllable - plural Mezuzot ) is a small case containing a small hand written parchment scroll (called a klaf). The scroll contains the words of the "Shema Yisrael" prayer from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Deuteronomy 11:13.

Shema Yisrael means "Hear O Israel." The first sentence declares, "Hear O Israel, the Lord is they God, the Lord is one." It is the Jewish confession of faith. The parchment of the Mezuzah is hand lettered. It is prepared by a specially trained scribe and must be perfect. It should be examined periodically to ensure that it is in order.

A Translation of the Text in the Mezuzah

"Hear O Israel, G-d our Lord is G-d the Only One You shall love G-d with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your power. These words which I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them to your children and you shall speak about them when you dwell in your house, when you travel on the road, when you lie down and when you arise. You shall tie them as a sign on your arm and as a head ornament between your eyes. you shall inscribe them on the doorposts of your home and your gates.

And it shall happen, if you obey my commandments which I command you today, to love G-d within all your hearts and all your souls that I will give the rains of the land in its proper time, the light rains and the heavy rains, and you will gather your grain, your wine and your oil. I will give grass in your fields for your livestock. You will have enough to eat and you will be satisfied. Guard yourselves, lest your hearts lead you astray and you will serve other gods and you will bow to them. G-d will then become angry with you and will withhold the rain, and the land will not produce its bounty. You will quickly be lost from upon the good land that G-d has granted you. You shall place these words on your hearts and on your souls. You shall tie them as a sign on your arms and they shall be head ornaments between your eyes, and you shall teach them to your children to speak about them when you dwell in your house, when you travel on the road, when you lie down and when you arise. You shall inscribe them on the doorpost of your houses and your gates. So that you and your children may live many years on the land that G-d has promised to your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth."

Where to place the Mezuzah

According to some authorities, the Mezuzah must be placed on every doorway except closets and bathrooms. According to others, it must only be placed on the entryway of the house. Some view the Mezuzah as a good luck charm, but respected authorities deride this view as superstition.

To buy Mezuzot:

1. If you are going to put Mezuzot on every doorway in your home, count the number of doors and archways in your home to decide how many Mezuzot you will need. A mezuzah should be mounted on every doorway, including front and back gateways if you have them, but excluding the bathroom and small closet doors.

2. Choose a practical size that suits your needs. Mezuzot range in size from a few inches to nearly a foot in length. The average is about 5 inches long. You may also purchase decorative protective cases that fit over the Mezuzah.

3. You may want to buy extra Mezuzot to use if a mezuzah is declared invalid and must be replaced.

4. Buy your Mezuzot from a reliable and kosher source. You can find kosher mezuzot in a reliable Judaica store, aJudaica.com offers wide selection at low prices.

5. Select a Mezuzah case. Your Mezuzot will need protection. Even a clear plastic cover will do, but most people like to enclose their Mezuzot in decorated cases.

6. Have your Mezuzot checked regularly. An annual check by a scribe before the holiday of Rosh Hashanah is customary among many orthodox Jews.