Mezuzahs

The mezuzah is a small parchment inscribed with verses from the Bible. It is rolled and inserted in a mezuzah case and attached to the doorpost. "And thou shalt write them (the commandments) upon your doorposts of thy house and upon thy gates". The first passage written on the mezuzah parchment begins with the Shema. Upon affixing the mezuzah, the following blessing is said: Baruch Ata A-do-nai Elo-heinu Melech Haolam asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu likboa mezuza. Blessed are You Lord our God, King of the universe who has commanded us to affix a mezuzah. Yussel's Place has a great selection of mezuzahs for the home featuring many styles and top artists. We're sure you'll find the perfect mezuzah right here.

According to halakha, the mezuzah should be placed on the right side of the door or doorpost, in the upper third of the doorpost (i.e., approximately shoulder height), within approximately 3 inches (8 cm) of the doorway opening. Care should be taken to not tear or damage the parchment or the wording on it, as this will invalidate the mezuzah, which is considered Torah. Generally, halakha requires that mezuzot be affixed within 30 days of moving into a rented house or apartment. This applies to Jews living in the Diaspora (i.e., outside of the Land of Israel). For a purchased home or apartment in the Diaspora, or a residence in Israel (owned or rented), the mezuzah is affixed immediately upon moving in. The reason for this difference is that there is an assumption that when a Jew lives in Israel, Israel shall remain his/her permanent residence, whereas a home in the diaspora is temporary. Mezuzot are very special objects and must be taken care of carefully and according to Jewish laws and traditions.

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 medievel 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 Portugese Jews living in countries where the majority of Jews are Ashkenazim usually place it slanting.

The procedure is to hold the mezuzah against the spot upon which it will be affixed, then recite a blessing: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His mitzvot, and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.

Any Jew can recite the blessing provided he or she is old enough to understand the significance of the mitzvah. After the blessing, the mezuzah is attached. This blessing is also said at every service at any temple in the world every time there is a service in session. Many people also touch a finger to the mezuzah as a way of showing respect to God in a simpler fashion than saying the prayer whenever they pass through the door.

When affixing several mezuzot, it is sufficient to recite the blessing once, before affixing the first one.