About the mezuzah
What a mezuzah is, what makes a scroll kosher, and how to take care of the ones on your doorposts.
What is a mezuzah?
Mezuzah, literally translated as a doorpost, is a small parchment scroll affixed on the doorposts of Jewish homes and businesses. It contains the Hebrew words of the Shema, expertly handwritten by a scribe with ink and quill.
What it means
The mezuzah helps remind us of our heritage and our connection to G‑d, marking our house as a place where G‑d can call home. While we may not install a mezuzah every day, it shapes and frames our everyday life. It transforms our house into a home — an enclave of holiness and spirituality, dedicated to meaning, purpose and tradition.
The protection of the mezuzah
A mezuzah serves as protection for the inhabitants of one’s home. The Talmud recounts the story of Onkelos, who upon converting to Judaism and settling in Jerusalem, explained his life choice to the Roman legionnaires tasked with bringing him back to Rome. As he left his home, he kissed the mezuzah. Asked the reason for that act, he explained that a mortal king has servants standing outside his house on guard; the King of Kings, however, is Himself guarding His servants outside their homes. These words made such a profound impression on the legionnaires that they too converted to Judaism.
Kabbalah explains that the word mezuzoth is a combination of the words zaz and maveth, which mean literally: “Death: Remove thyself.” The mezuzah provides both spiritual and physical protection, symbolizing G‑d’s presence and guidance in one’s home, granting security and peace of mind to those within.
What makes a mezuzah kosher
The decorative case containing the mezuzah scroll is just that: a mere container. What’s important is the scroll, upon which the first two sections of the Shema are handwritten, beginning with the words “Hear o Israel, the L‑rd is our G‑d, the L‑rd is One.” These selections both contain G‑d’s instruction to affix the mezuzah: “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
These words are handwritten by an expert scribe who is trained in the many laws involved in writing a mezuzah, including the requirement that it be written with special intention and that the words be written in order.
Every single letter in the mezuzah must be properly formed. A single crack in the parchment or any omission can invalidate the entire scroll. A printed mezuzah is invalid. For this reason, it is vital that it be purchased from a reputable scribe or retailer.
On the reverse side of the scroll, the scribe writes one of G‑d’s names: Sha‑dai. The three letters of this name form an acronym for the Hebrew words that mean “Guardian of the doorways of Israel.” Since this name of G‑d begins with the letter shin, mezuzah cases are often decorated with that letter.
Maintenance
It is customary to have mezuzahs checked twice every seven years, or even every year, prior to the High Holidays. Even if the mezuzah was purchased from a reputable source and was previously found to be perfectly kosher, there is always room for human error, and new cracks and other problems can appear with time. Of course, this checking must be done by an expert scribe.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, would often urge people who encountered health challenges or other difficulties to have their mezuzahs — and tefillin — checked, to make sure that every scroll was in good shape and properly placed on the doorpost.
Project Protect
The Mezuzah Share: the mezuzah symbolizes G‑d’s protection and presence in one’s life. A small scroll with the words of the Shema inscribed, placed on the doorframe of one’s home, framing its inhabitants with a deeper awareness and appreciation for the Divine. Gift a mezuzah, and help others transform their home into an abode, protected and infused with a message of G‑d’s unconditional love and closeness.
You can take part in Project Protect in any of three ways:
- Purchase a mezuzah for your home, or any doorway within it, and affix it with a blessing.
- Check the mezuzos of your home for any mistakes or wear and tear that may have impacted their status.
- Share the beauty of a mezuzah with others, and gift one to someone who can benefit.
Project Protect has been made possible by an anonymous sponsor. It is an initiative of Mitzvah Society — mitzvahsociety.org.
To get a mezuzah or have yours checked, start on the mezuzah page.