 |
April 2007
And You Shall Write Them Upon the Doorposts of Your House...
Mezuzahs, according to tradition, should be placed on outside doorways as well as on the doorway of every room in the home, except the bathroom. On a home’s exterior, mezuzahs announce to passersby that Jews live inside, some say. But rabbis suggest that the real purpose is to remind the occupants of their heritage, responsibilities and their connection with God. The mezuzah – the Hebrew word for doorpost – is a tubular case, generally about three or four inches in length. It contains a small piece of parchment, inscribed with 22 lines from the Jewish prayer the Sh’ma. There is a small opening near the top through which is visible the word Shaddai, one of the mystical names of God. The mezuzah is placed on the top third, right side of the doorway at a 30 percent angle pointing toward the inside. As we celebrate Passover, it’s interesting to note that the origin of the mezuzah is traced to the marking of doorways of Jewish households with lamb’s blood – the imprint that ensured that Jewish families would be “passed over” when the angel of death fulfilled the final of the 10 plagues and slew the Egyptians' first born. However, noted one rabbi, the spirit that passed over the homes of Jews in those ancient times did not need an outside manifestation. The marking was a unifying gesture that was a first step in making a rag-tag group of individuals into the Jewish people. While mezuzahs can be beautiful works of art, the significance is in the parchment inside. In fact, the cases are often purchased without the scrolled parchment enclosure. The parchment is sold separately, sometimes at a cost that exceeds the cover. The reason is simple: like a Torah, a “kosher” (or authentic) mezuzah scroll is handwritten by a certified scribe in Hebrew letters on parchment with a special quill pen and handmade black ink. Affixing a mezuzah can be an opportunity for a celebration – a Jewish housewarming or Chanukah HaBayit (dedication of the home). Invite relatives and friends to gather as you attach it (there’s a special prayer for this). Serve sweets so that there may always be sweetness in your home. Instead of gifts, ask guests to bring a quotation from a Jewish (or other) source appropriate for the occasion. Have everyone read them aloud, then make a scrapbook of your “gifts,” memorializing this extraordinary occasion. « Back to Newsletter | Next Article »  |
 |
Mezuzahs…. They may be wood, metal, glass, Lucite or perhaps modern composite materials. Some are ornate and decorative, while others are plain and simple. You will find them gracing the doorways of Jewish homes and institutions around the world, as commanded by the biblical injunction, “And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates...”