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What is a MEZUZAH?

 

You've seen it on your bubby's doorpost. But what is it?! Imagine the most reliable home security system on planet earth.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT A MEZUZAH IS.

Inside the Mezuzah scroll is the Shema prayer and it guards the physical, spiritual, financial, and emotional health of one's home and everyone inside it. 

Mezuzah

 

A mezuzah is a small scroll of parchment containing verses from the Torah that is traditionally affixed to the doorpost of Jewish homes. The mezuzah is a reminder of the biblical commandment to "write the words of this Torah on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:9).

 

The mezuzah is typically placed on the right side of the doorpost, at the top third of the doorway, at a height that is easily seen by those entering the room. It is customary to kiss the mezuzah as one enters or leaves a room as a way to express respect and devotion to God.

 

The mezuzah is considered to be a symbol of the Jewish faith and a reminder of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. It is also seen as a way to protect the home and its occupants from harm. The mezuzah is typically affixed to the doorpost of every room in the house except for the bathroom, and it is also placed on the doorpost of synagogues and other Jewish institutions.

 

The mezuzah is an important and meaningful ritual in Judaism and is seen as a way to fulfill the biblical commandment to write the words of the Torah on the doorposts of one's house and as a way to express commitment to the Jewish faith.

 

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The mitzvah of mezuzah is a commandment in Judaism that requires affixing a small scroll of parchment containing verses from the Torah to the doorpost of Jewish homes. Here is a general guide on how to observe the mitzvah of mezuzah:

 

Purchase a mezuzah: You can purchase a mezuzah from a Judaica store or online retailer. When purchasing a mezuzah, it is important to make sure that it is written by a scribe (sofer) who is certified to write mezuzot, and that it is checked by a qualified expert to ensure that it is written correctly.

 

Choose a location for the mezuzah: The mezuzah is typically affixed to the right side of the doorpost, at the top third of the doorway, at a height that is easily seen by those entering the room. It should be placed on the doorpost of every room in the house except for the bathroom, and it should also be placed on the doorpost of synagogues and other Jewish institutions.

 

Affix the mezuzah to the doorpost: To affix the mezuzah, clean the doorpost with a dry cloth and make sure that it is dry. Then, using a hammer and nails, attach the mezuzah to the doorpost so that the top of the mezuzah is facing inward and the bottom is facing outward. Make sure that the mezuzah is securely fastened to the doorpost.

 

Recite the blessing: As you affix the mezuzah, recite the blessing for affixing a mezuzah. The blessing is: "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to affix a mezuzah."

 

Kiss the mezuzah: As you enter or leave a room, it is customary to kiss the mezuzah as a way to express respect and devotion to God.

 

Overall, observing the mitzvah of mezuzah involves purchasing a mezuzah, choosing a location for it, affixing it to the doorpost, reciting the blessing, and kissing the mezuzah as you enter or leave a room. This mitzvah is an important





 

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A mezuzah is a small scroll of parchment containing verses from the Torah that is traditionally affixed to the doorpost of Jewish homes. The mezuzah is a reminder of the biblical commandment to "write the words of this Torah on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:9).

 

The mezuzah is typically placed on the right side of the doorpost, at the top third of the doorway, at a height that is easily seen by those entering the room. It is customary to kiss the mezuzah as one enters or leaves a room as a way to express respect and devotion to God.

 

Inside the mezuzah, there is a small scroll of parchment that contains the following two passages from the Torah:

 

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). This passage, known as the "Shema," is considered to be the central statement of Jewish faith and a declaration of the unity of God.

 

"And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:9). This passage refers to the commandment to write the words of the Torah on the doorposts of one's house and is the basis for the practice of affixing a mezuzah to the doorpost of Jewish homes.

 

The parchment used for the mezuzah scroll is traditionally made from the skin of a kosher animal, such as a cow or a sheep, and it is written by a scribe (sofer) who is certified to write mezuzot. The scroll is then checked by a qualified expert to ensure that it is written correctly.

 

Overall, the mezuzah is an important and meaningful ritual in Judaism and is seen as a way to fulfill the biblical commandment to write the words of the Torah on the doorposts of one's house and as a way to express commitment to the Jewish faith.

 

 

Checking mezuzah: 

In Judaism, it is customary to check mezuzahs, or small scrolls of parchment containing verses from the Torah that are affixed to the doorpost of Jewish homes, to ensure that they are written correctly and are kosher, or fit for use. The mezuzah is a reminder of the biblical commandment to "write the words of this Torah on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:9).

 

The parchment used for the mezuzah scroll is traditionally made from the skin of a kosher animal, such as a cow or a sheep, and it is written by a scribe (sofer) who is certified to write mezuzot. However, it is possible for mistakes to be made during the writing process, and it is important to ensure that the mezuzah is written correctly in order to fulfill the commandment and to avoid the possibility of invalidating the mezuzah.

 

To check a mezuzah, a qualified expert, known as a "mezuzah examiner," will carefully examine the scroll to ensure that it is written correctly and meets all of the required standards. If the mezuzah is found to be incorrect, it may need to be corrected or replaced.

 

Checking mezuzahs is an important part of the tradition of affixing mezuzahs to the doorpost of Jewish homes, and it is a way to ensure that the mezuzah is written correctly and is fit for use. It is also a way to fulfill the biblical commandment to write the words of the Torah on the doorposts of one's house and to express commitment to the Jewish faith.

Checking for kosher: how

 

To check if a mezuzah, or small scroll of parchment containing verses from the Torah, is kosher, or fit for use, you will need to have it examined by a qualified expert known as a "mezuzah examiner." The mezuzah examiner will carefully examine the scroll to ensure that it is written correctly and meets all of the required standards.

 

Here are the steps for checking a mezuzah to see if it is kosher:

 

Contact a mezuzah examiner: You can find a mezuzah examiner through your local synagogue or Jewish community center, or by contacting a reputable Judaica store or online retailer.

 

Bring the mezuzah to the mezuzah examiner: Bring the mezuzah to the mezuzah examiner and explain that you would like to have it checked to ensure that it is kosher.

 

Allow the mezuzah examiner to examine the mezuzah: The mezuzah examiner will carefully examine the mezuzah to ensure that it is written correctly and meets all of the required standards. This may involve looking for any mistakes or errors in the writing, checking the quality of the parchment, and ensuring that the mezuzah is written by a scribe (sofer) who is certified to write mezuzot.

 

Follow the mezuzah examiner's recommendations: If the mezuzah is found to be incorrect, the mezuzah examiner may recommend that it be corrected or replaced. If the mezuzah is found to be correct, the mezuzah examiner will certify it as kosher.

 

Overall, checking a mezuzah to ensure that it is kosher is an important part of the tradition of affixing mezuzahs to the doorpost of Jewish homes. It is a way to ensure that the mezuzah is written correctly and is fit for use and to fulfill the biblical commandment to write the words of the Torah on the doorposts of one's house.

© 2021 by EJI, LLC

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