Mezuzah

A mezuzah case superimposed on the text of the mezuzah parchment. You will often find a small container, or case, affixed the doorposts of traditional (and often non-observant) Jewish homes. This is commonly referred to as mezuzah (Hebrew: מְזוּזָה‎ "doorpost"; plural: מְזוּזוֹת mezuzot) though the term actually refers to the rolled parchment scroll contained inside. The mezuzah is inscribed with specified Hebrew verses from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21). These verses comprise the Jewish prayer "Shema Yisrael," beginning with the phrase: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our G-d, the LORD is One." The mezuzah fulfills the mitzvah (commandment) to inscribe the words of the Shema "on the doorposts of your house" (Deuteronomy 6:9). The scroll is prepared by a qualified scribe who has undergone many years of meticulous training. The Hebrew word שדי (Shaddai) is written on the back of the scroll. Shaddai, one of the biblical names of God, also serves here as an acronym for Shomer Daltot Yisrael, "Guardian of Israel's doors". The phrase "כוזו במוכסז כוזו" is also written on the back of the scroll. The phrase is a Caesar cipher — a one letter shift — of the third, fourth, and fifth words of the Shema, "Adonai, Eloheinu, Adonai", "The Lord, our God, the Lord"; it is written on the back of the case, opposite the corresponding words on the front. This inscription dates from the 11th century and is found amongst the Hasidei Ashkenaz (medieval German Jewish mystics). According to the Sephardic custom (minhag), the phrase "כוזו במוכסז כוזו" is prohibited, and only the Hebrew word שדי (Shaddai) is to be written on the back of the mezuzah. This practice is supported by the Shulchan Aruch and the writings of the Rambam. The Ashkenazi custom of writing both phrases, however, was supported in the writings of the Remo.Template:Yoreh De'ah 288:15. The parchment is then rolled up and placed inside the case. The first letter of Shaddai usually appears on the outside of the case. The case and scroll are then affixed to the right side doorpost as you enter the building or room, with a small ceremony called Chanukkat Ha-Bayit (dedication of the house ). A brief blessing is recited. Where the doorway is wide enough, Ashkenazi Jews tilt the mezuzah so that the top slants toward the room into which the door opens. This is done to accommodate the variant opinions of the medieval Rabbis Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam as to whether it should be placed horizontally or vertically, and also to imply that God and the Torah (which the mezuzah symbolizes) are entering the room. Most Sephardi, Mizrahi and other non-Ashkenazi Jews affix the mezuzah vertically, though Spanish and Portuguese Jews living in countries where the majority of Jews are Ashkenazim usually place it slanting. Jeiwsh custom is to touch the mezuzah with your fingertips every time you time you pass through a door and then kiss the fingers that touched it, expressing love and respect for G-d and his mitzvot and reminding yourself of the mitzvot contained within them. Many observant Jews from all Jewish denominations have a qualified scribe check the mezuzot parchments for defects (such as small tears or faded lettering) at least twice every seven years. The commandment to affix a mezuzah is widely followed in the Jewish world, even by Jews who are not religiously observant. While the important part of the mezuzah is the klaf, or parchment, and not the case itself, designing and producing mezuzah cases has been elevated to an art form over the ages. Mezuzah cases are produced from a wide variety of materials, from silver and precious metals, to wood, stone, ceramics, pewter, and even polymer clay.