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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.

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

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Oct 19, 2010
To Ilana
I would certainly use this as an opportunity to have the mezuzah checked by a skilled scribe. Even if you have had it checked before, you should still do so again. Sometimes one scribe will catch an error that another scribe missed, and the mezuzahs sometimes deteriorate with age.
Posted By Menachem Posner for Chabad.org

Posted: Oct 18, 2010
mezuzah falling
my mezuzah falls off my bedroom door all the time? it is mounted well...is this a sign of anything ?
Posted By Ilana, Plantation, FL

Posted: June 2, 2010
RE: Removing a Mezuzah
If the next residents of your home will be Jewish, you should leave your mezuzhas for them--unless they have their own. If non-Jews will be moving in, just take them down. Before affixing them to the doors of your new home it is advisable to have the mezuzahs checked by a scribe to make sure that they are intact and in good condition.
Posted By Menachem Posner for Chabad.org

Posted: June 2, 2010
mezuzahs as protective devices
Please don't be offended, but reading this article makes me think of ancient rituals amongst many primitive people to protect them from evil spirits, etc. Amulets and gris-gris bags have been part of primitive religions to protect people througout history. The mezuzah is a lovely cultural tradition, passed down through generations, but the protection and love of the Almighty is not contingent upon a scroll and box surrounded by rituals and rules -- it is there, and to affirm it we use our hearts and minds. The last sentence about the twice in 7 years having them checked -- nice touch, but a bit over the top I find it a little too idolatrous. Seems to allude that the mezuzah itself has power, and thus loses sight of the real importance and power of our individual faith and love to make our lives better and safer.
Posted By Julietta Wilder, bRONXVILLE, nY

Posted: June 1, 2010
Removing a Mezuzah
When moving, what is the procedure for properly removing a Mezuzah?
Posted By Gary Lyles, Costa Mesa, CA, USA

Posted: June 1, 2010
Mezzuza security
Isn't it more likely that if the Mezzuza was an efficient security device, the insurance companies would insist on every house having one. Discounts on burglary insurance, cut price mezzuzot if you buy our insurance policy.
They aren't fools - their lack of interest shows that there is probably no statistical improvement in security. In fact, the opposite may be true. Many people believe that jews are rich, so the probability of robbery may be greater.
Posted By Anonymous, London, UK

Posted: May 31, 2010
Just a little aside. When I was a cop in Brownsville Brooklyn which was about 99% Black & Hispanic (despite it being only about 2 miles from Chabbad headquarters at 770 Eastern Pkway), I noticed almost every apartment had a Mezuzah on the door as Brownsville was once a Jewish area years ago. I doubt few people knew what it was although I heard one resident say it was for good luck!!
Posted By Jeffrey Rosen, East Meadow, NY

Posted: Apr 18, 2010
Mezuzot Blessing...
Where is the prayer, displayed in Hebrew? :) And Chabad.org, you touch my heart with magic by having access to all this information, here.

Thank you, Shalom and shalom,

Gabriel and Devorah
Posted By Anonymous, Garfield, NJ

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



 


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