A certified sofer like Lessin has undergone rigorous training to compose every letter of the Hebrew alphabet in precise calligraphy. It is customary to recite, "May God protect my going out and coming in, now and forever." A mezuzah must be attached on the upper third of the right-hand side of the doorway as one enters, no less than one hand-breath from the top. 6:4-9andDeut. The ink for a mezuzah scroll must be sourced from a handful of kosher purveyors who make jet-black ink from a short list of approved ingredients: iron sulfate, gall nuts (a woody deformation that grows on oak trees as a reaction to wasp eggs), tree sap and water. The ink for a mezuzah scroll must be sourced from a handful of kosher purveyors who make jet-black ink from a short list of approved ingredients: iron sulfate, gall nuts (a woody deformation that grows on oak trees as a reaction to wasp eggs), tree sap and water. If youre not Jewish, you may be unfamiliar with the small decorative case affixed to the right door frame of some homes or apartments. It is an external marker that Jews proudly live here and that were not afraid to say so.. Shapero estimates that 90 percent of the mezuzahs sold around the world are not kosher, which means that their scrolls fall short of meeting the high standards of Jewish law or Halacha. Set Apart People What about the mezuzah? At some point, and its not clear when, the tradition changed to writing the prayers on a small scroll of parchment, rolling up the scroll tightly and burying it in a notch cut out of the doorframe. A mezuzah (Hebrew: "doorpost"; plural: mezuzot) is a piece of parchment, known as a klaf, contained in a decorative case and inscribed with specific Hebrew verses from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21).These verses consist of the Jewish prayer Shema Yisrael, beginning with the phrase: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord (is) our God, the Lord is One". A true kosher mezuzah more on that in a second will contain a small window . Your email address will not be published. Its a reminder of our personal Jewish identity, who we are as a people and the values that are important to us, says Alex Shapero, program director at MyZuzah, an organization that provides kosher, fair trade mezuzahs to homes around the world. While the later commandments in Deuteronomy to hang a mezuzah have nothing to do with warding off plagues, the practice still resonates with modern Jews, offering rich spiritual blessings and even physical protections to those who observe it. A mezuzah serves two functions: First, every time you enter or This is a compromise between Rashi (who said they should be hu - (Mezuzah - Mezuzot) However, if you wish, you can contract a sofer to write a mezuzah without these mystical additions. The law calls for a mezuzah to be placed on every doorpost of the home, with the exception of bathrooms and closets. Sephardic Jews (who come from the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa) traditionally hang it straight. The World Famous Mezuzah, as its known, measures 3 feet 7 inches (1 meter and 10 centimeters) and sold in auction for $51,361 in 2009. The commandment to place mezuzot (plural of mezuzah) on the doorposts of our houses is derived from Deut. Even if your Mezuzah is written properly and according to Halacha, being that it is a very delicate item it needs to be treated gently and cared for properly. Even if you're not Jewish, Shapero says that it's a blessing for the doorposts of any home to be graced with a mezuzah. For thousands of years, Jewish families have marked the doorposts of their home in fulfillment of a commandment written in the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible starting with Genesis). "What's a Mezuzah and What's Inside the Case?" The mezuzah case can be made of almost anything, as long as it allows access to the klaf so that it may be checked for kashrut (kosherness) periodically. is affixed to the right side of the door as one enters the room. What is a Mezuzah and What's It Used For? - thecollector.com 6:4-9 and Deut. Mezuzah | Encyclopedia.com Both a gentile and a minor are exempt from the Mitzvah of mezuzah. The scroll inside of the mezuzah looks like this in Hebrew: The translation in English is: Hear, O Israel, the L -rd is our G -d, the L- rd is one. Mezuzah Scrolls - Mezuzahs - Judaica - World of Judaica What is a mezuzah? Why and how do we use it? - Reform Judaism A Jewish person entering the house touches the mezuzah and then kisses his or her fingers as an expression of devotion to the verses it contains. The Shema is the most important prayer in Judaism because it reminds Jewish people that there is only one God. The quill might be made of a reed, as in ancient times, or of a feather, and the ink must be indelible. Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security, A stone doorframe found in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. What is a Mezuzah? | My Jewish Learning The first paragraph of the mezuzah, Shema Yisrael - Hear O Israel, contains several important principles: Belief in the unity of Gd. Learn all about the mezuzah in Jewish tradition, and how you can hang a mezuzah in your home! A mezuzah ( , literally door jamb, plural mezuzot) consists of a piece of parchment enclosed in a case. In that passage, we are commanded to keep God's words constantly . , just before affixing it to the doorpost: , - , : Sometimes on the outside of the container, and customarily on the outside roll of the scroll is written , Almighty, which some say is an acronym for, , Guardian of Israels Doors (also seen above the Ark in our Sanctuary). It's not all that unusual to discover that rolled inside that decorative mezuzah case you purchased in Israel or at your local Jewish gift shop, is not the scribe's handiwork on parchment, but a piece of printed paper. What is the source for attaching a Mezuzah to the doorpost? Many recommend checking twice every seven years. Some interpret Jewish law to require a mezuzah on every doorway in the home apart from bathrooms and closets too small to qualify as rooms.'. And you shall teach them to "And you shall write them [the words of the Shema] on the doorposts o. The case is then affixed to a doorway in fulfillment of the commandment given in Deuteronomy 6:9, "And you shall write them upon the doorposts (mezuzot) of your house, and upon your . The word "Shaddai" is related to G-d in some way, but that is also at. I was most impressed with the online representative, Avi, who went out of his way to help me. On this handwritten The parchment and the ink need to be manufactured in a reliable kosher manner, the scribe who writes the prayers has to be properly trained and certified, and every letter and word of the prayer must be written correctly.. ONE FOR ISRAEL. The Laws of a Kosher Mezuzah - Kosher Spirit - OK Kosher Certification A mezuzah () is a kosher parchment scroll (inscribed with Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 on one side and the word Shaddai on the other side) that is rolled up and inserted into a decorative case. The scroll itself should be a type of kosher parchment calledklafthats made from the skin of calf embryos, which are considered the most pliable and the most spiritually pure, says Lessin. Some people spell it mezuzah, while others use a double z and spell it mezzuzah, mezuzzah or mezzuzzah.Others spell it without an h at the end, as in mezuza or mezzuza. For thousands of years, Jewish families have marked the doorposts of their home in fulfillment of a commandment written in the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible starting with Genesis). Ex. The mitzvah of mezuzah is one of the most universally known mitzvos among non-observant and observant Jews alike. Best cheap low prices on all brands, great closeouts deal offers, amazing discounts & promotions, fast free shipping delivery available and free gifts, The Sofer Stam (scribe) who writes the words on the. PDF The scroll inside of the mezuzah looks like this in Hebrew - Abba Oil 11:13-21 .) You might be most familiar with the word kosher as it applies to food (as in, pork products and shellfish are not kosher), but other aspects of Jewish life also need to be kosher, including the mezuzah. ), parchment scroll affixed to the doorpost of rooms in the Jewish home. Why does Jewish law forbid gifts to an unborn child? You might be most familiar with the word kosher as it applies to food (as in, pork products and shellfish are not kosher), but other aspects of Jewish life also need to be kosher, including the mezuzah. Why are there different kinds of Mezuzah scrolls? Nowadays all mezuzos are written with 'Shaddai' and 'kuzu bemuchsuz kuzu' on their backs. A specially trained scribe, known as a sofer, carefully writes the words using special black ink and a quill pen. The Hebrew word mezuzah means doorpost. Sephardic Jews (who come from the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa) traditionally hang it straight. A "kosher" mezuzah is hand-written on genuine parchment, prepared from the skin of a kosher animal. "The parchment and the ink need to be manufactured in a reliable kosher manner, the scribe who writes the prayers has to be properly trained and certified, and every letter and word of the prayer must be written correctly.". "The mezuzah is a symbol that connects, protects, and unites Jews. The Shema is the most important prayer in Judaism because it reminds Jewish people that there is only one God. There are three main things that determine if a mezuzah is kosher, says Avraham Lessin, the Israel project coordinator for MyZuzah. We offer over 15,000 different products related to Judaism, Hebrew and Israel, shop our extensive selection of books, Buy Israeli Movies,Bullet Proof Vests, Purchase DVDs, Dead Sea Cosmetics, Israel Gifts, Jesus Sandals, Israeli Jewelry, Judaica, Sterling Silver and 14K Gold Jewish Jewelry, Personal Electronics, Jewish related software, Learn Hebrew products and much more, all within our web store.Israel Catalog is the largest Online Israeli web store of products made in Israel and Jewish themed gifts. What is a Mezuzah? - YouTube If a Mezuzah is stuck inside its case, carefully bang the case against . Many, It is probably worth another of these boxes to discuss the mysticism and superstition around, What Is My Hebrew Name? MEZUZAH INSIDE - What's inside a Mezuzah? AskMoses TV Hebrew Blessing when Affixing Mezuzah A mezuzah ( , literally "door jamb," plural mezuzot) consists of a piece of parchment enclosed in a case. A mezuzah should be fixed to the doorpost of ever living space in the house, not just the entrance door. Inside every decorative mezuzah is a tightly wound scroll that contains the two most sacred prayers in Judaism (These are the verses of Deut. Inside the mezuzah is a rolled parchment inscribed with verses from the Bible. The mezuzah can be rightly compared with the helmet which is a veneer that protects people from the dangers of life. No, inside every mezuzah is a scroll. The Message of the Mezuzah - Hope of Israel The Biblical and Spiritual Significance of Mezuzah - JesusBoat.com A Mezuzah is made up of two parts, the case, and the Mezuzah scroll. For a mezuzah text to be kosher, no two letters can touch, no letter can have a break in it, every letter must be clearly distinguishable, no misspellings or omissions are allowed, and the scribe must say a prayer to sanctify the name of God every time he writes it on the page (by custom, sofers are all men). The front door is the primary place to hang a mezuzah, but some observant Jews affix them to interior doors, too. The blessing is said while holding the mezuzah, just before affixing it to the doorpost: , - , : Sometimes on the outside of the container, and customarily on the outside roll of the scroll is written , Shaddai, Almighty, which some say is an acronym for Shomer Daltot Yisrael, Guardian of Israels Doors (also seen above the Ark in our Sanctuary). The person who writes the mezuzah must be a shomer shabbat Jewish man, and he has to write it with the correct intention. While the later commandments in Deuteronomy to hang a mezuzah have nothing to do with warding off plagues, the practice still resonates with modern Jews, offering rich spiritual blessings and even physical protections to those who observe it. Originally Published August 17-18, 2018. ) The first time the word appears in the Torah is in the Exodus account of Moses freeing the Israelites from bondage under Pharoah. Is mezuzah a religious symbol? - bu.lotusblossomconsulting.com That the World May Know | Mezuzah When God is about to pronounce the 10th and final plague on the Egyptians the death of the firstborn sons he commands the Jewish people to mark their doorposts with blood from a sacrificial lamb so that the "destroyer" will pass over them and let their children live. What is the prayer in the mezuzah in English and in Hebrew? The Message of the Mezuzah - Jews for Jesus Required fields are marked *. 17 How To Get Rid Of Messenger Home 10/2022, 5 Profound Insights From Lao-tzu, Founder of Taoism, Sikhism Explained: What to Know About This Often-Misunderstood Religion. 11:13-21.) For example, it must be written on parchment made from a kosher species of animal, such as a cow, a sheep or a goat. In Judaism, the description of God begins with the first letter, Shin, which are used to decorate the mezuzah itself. The person and the equipment and the method must all be kosher. It should be attached at the top and the bottom to be absolutely certain that a holy object will not hit the floor. The mezuzah is a symbol that connects, protects, and unites Jews. 6:4-9 and Deut. Where to Place a Mezuzah - Torah Musings Lessin himself is a certified Jewish scribe known as a sofer. Mezuzah is one of the most important Jewish Symbols, and placing a Mezuzah on the door entry is an important part of Jewish culture. The ink for a mezuzah scroll must be sourced from a handful of kosher purveyors who make jet-black ink from a short list of approved ingredients: iron sulfate,gall nuts(a woody deformation that grows on oak trees as a reaction to wasp eggs), tree sap and water. Put the mezuzah in place on the top third of your doorpost at an angle with the . "Remove the scroll and gently examine it to make sure that it's not damaged in any way from water, the sun or insects," says Shapero. 5. 2. The commandment appears twice in the book of Deuteronomy in connection with two of the most important prayers in Judaism, known as theShma(or Shema) and theVahavta. The Mezuzah should be placed inside a protective case. What's the Difference Between Kosher Salt and Table Salt? That case is called a mezuzah, and while the eye-catching designs on its outside get most of the attention, its whats on the inside of a mezuzah that really counts. 11:13-21.) Shu"t Binyan Tziyyon 89, dated 20 Tammuz 5615 (1855 . The general rule is to place a mezuzah on doors leading to rooms in which you eat or sleep (bedrooms, dining room, kitchen) but not on bathroom doors or the door to the garage, says Shapero. What separates a "Kosher Mezuzah" from a non-"Kosher" one? On the back of the scroll is written the word Shadai in Hebrew, one of the names of God. Your email address will not be published. The prayer is recited in Hebrew, but in English it says, Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.. mezuzah. But one actual commandment is to inspect the scroll inside your mezuzah twice every seven years. The mezuzah opens up and inside, written on a rolled up piece of parchment are specific verses from the Torah. It may only be written by a ordained scribe. Remove the scroll and gently examine it to make sure that its not damaged in any way from water, the sun or insects, says Shapero. 12:7). They are written in in one column on one sheet. The prayer is recited in Hebrew, but in English it says, "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.". While the later commandments in Deuteronomy to hang a mezuzah have nothing to do with warding off plagues, the practice still resonates with modern Jews, offering rich spiritual blessings and even physical protections to those who observe it. It takes a trained sofer between two and three hours to carefully write the Hebrew prayers on a mezuzah scroll. Inside every decorative mezuzah is a tightly wound scroll that contains the two most sacred prayers in Judaism (These are the verses ofDeut. It is a mystical name for . Special indelible ink written with a distinctive quill pen are used. Jewish Mezuzah| What Is A Mezuzah - Judaica Gifts For A Jewish Home Mezuzah - Ancient Symbols While not much is known about the long history of the mezuzah, its believed that Jews originally followed the commandments in Deuteronomy by writing or inscribing the prayers (or key words from the prayers) directly on the doorposts of their homes (it may have even been borrowed from a similar Egyptian tradition).

Book Of The Bible Crossword Clue 5 Letters, Describe Glacial Outwash And Tell Where They Are Found, Immerse Crossword Clue 4 Letters, C# Httprequestmessage Post Json, Best Dog Trainers Toronto, Studying In The Netherlands As An American, Commercial Tarps For Trucking,