A mezuzah (Hebrew: מְזוּזָה "doorpost"; plural: מְזוּזוֹת ‎ mezuzot) is a piece of parchment inscribed with specific Hebrew verses from the Torah, which Jews affix in a small case to the doorposts of their homes. [1]

The mezuzah is the hallmark of the Jewish home, demonstrating that it leads to a Jewish household. When a Jewish family affixes a mezuzah on their permanent residence they are forming another link in Jewish history and continuing a tradition that goes back to Biblical times.

A mezuzah serves two functions: Every time you enter or leave, the mezuzah reminds you that you have a covenant with God; second, the mezuzah serves as a symbol to everyone else that this particular dwelling is constituted as a Jewish household, operating by a special set of rules, rituals, and beliefs.

2019年6月25日 · Many people recognize the mezuzah as an easy identifier of a Jewish home. Understand where the commandment of mounting the mezuzah comes from and how you can affix your very own at home. Written on the parchment are 713 words from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21, which is more commonly known as the Shema and Vayaha, respectively.

In Ashkenazic tradition, the mezuzah is placed at a slight angle, with the top of the mezuzah pointing toward the inside of the room and the bottom pointing toward the outside. In Sephardic communities, however, the mezuzah is affixed vertically.

To understand the significance of the mezuzah, we must first explore the text written in it. As we have said before, these are the two Torah portions: Shema and Vehayah. These two portions, along with a third, comprise the prayer Shema Yisrael...

On the doorposts of Jewish homes a passerby can likely find a small casing like the one pictured at right. This ornament is known as a mezuzah (Hebrew, "doorpost") because it is placed upon the doorposts of the house.