HOME | CONTACT US | DONATE LoginLOGIN Ask the RabbiASK THE RABBI
Chabad.org - Torah, Judaism and Jewish Info Jewish Practice
 
Chabad.org » Jewish Practice » Mitzvah Minutes » Household » Mezuzah
  Daily   Kindness   Household   Shabbat   Holiday   Lifecycle   Other


Share thisPost a CommentPrintSend this page to a friendSubscribe
6 Comments Posted

Mezuzah

Higher Security

No, it's not a Jewish doorbell. It's a home security device called a mezuzah and it's wired into the Ultimate Protection Agency.

The software inside this gadget is a scroll with the words beginning, "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our G‑d; the Lord is one." Those powerful words sum up the mandate of a Jew: to infuse the world with G‑d's oneness. We place them on our doorposts, and G‑d's oneness surrounds us and protects us.

You'll need:

1) A mezuzah scroll. The mezuzah must be hand-written by a scribe on specially prepared parchment with specific types of quill and ink. The market's filled with printed or improperly prepared mezuzahs, so make sure to purchase yours from a reliable source.

We place them on our doorposts, and G‑d's oneness surrounds us and protects us2) A protective case.

3) Hammer and nails, strong glue or double-sided tape.

Where:

On every doorway in your home or office leading into a proper room – a space at least 6.5 x 6.5 feet – except for the bathroom. This includes hallways, walk-in closets, etc.

On the right doorpost—going with the direction towards which the door opens. If the door leads into a house, affix it to the right of a person entering—even if the door swings outwards. In a doorless doorway, think about importance and function, and place to the right of the entry to the more important room.

At the bottom of the top third of the doorpost, on a diagonal with the top pointing inwards.

How:

Recite:

Blessed are you, Lord our G- d, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.

Affix the mezuzah(s). One blessing suffices for all the mezuzahs affixed in one uninterrupted session.

Touch the mezuzah as you enter and leave, and then kiss the fingers that touched it.

At least twice in seven years, have your mezuzahs professionally checked to ascertain that they are intact and no letters have been cracked or erased.


Share thisPost a CommentPrintSend this page to a friendSubscribe
6 Comments Posted

Illustrations by Yehuda Lang. To view more artwork by this artist click here .

The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.
 

6 Comments Posted  |  Post A Comment
Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Nov 16, 2008
RE: car mezuzah
The Torah commands us to put mezuzot on our buildings but not on vehicles. Traditionally, Jews have not had mezuzot in their cars or, back in the Shtetl, in their wagons. If you'd like, you may have a mezuzah in your car.

It is not respectful to have the mezuzah dangle, so don't hang it from the rear view mirror. Laying the mezuzah flat on the dashboard or in the glove compartment is fine.
Posted By Eliezer Posner, Chabad.org, Brooklyn, NY

Posted: Nov 6, 2008
Mezuzah in Car
I am becoming a Jew by choice , in classes now. My question is, where is the best place to affix my car Mezuzah? Right now it is on my consol, not affixed, but I can reach it easily to kiss it.
Posted By Annabelle, CA

Posted: Oct 15, 2008
RE: Where to put the Mezuzah
You can learn where on the doorpost the mezuzah belongs, by clicking here.
Posted By Eliezer Posner, Chabad.org, Skokie, IL



 


Household
Mezuzah
Hospitality
Meat, Dairy and Pareve
House Full of Books
Challah
Family Purity
Immersing Utensils