Mezuzah

1. What is a Mezuzah?

A mezuzah (Hebrew: מְזוּזָה "pole") (plural: mezuzot (מְזוּזוֹת)) is a piece of parchment (often contained in a decorative case) is written in Hebrew as specified verses from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11: 13-21 ). These verses are composed of Jewish prayer "Shema Yisrael", begins with the sentence: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One"

mezuzah is affixed in the doorway of Jewish homes to fulfill the mitzvah (Biblical commandment) to write down the words of the Shema "on the doorposts of your house" (Deuteronomy 6:9). Some interpret Jewish law for a mezuzah on every door in the house separate from the bathroom, and closets are too small to qualify as a bedroom; [one another] see it as just need to place one at the front door. parchment was prepared by a qualified scribe (a Sofer Stam "") that have undergone years of careful training, and the verses are written in black ink with a special quill. parchment is then rolled up and placed inside the case.

Hear, O Israel: G Gdd us, Gd is one (Deuteronomy 6:4). The words we read every morning and evening. Words containing the main report about what it means to be a Jew.

Concerning these words, Gd has commanded us, "And you shall inscribe them on the doorposts of your house, and on your gates" (ibid., verse 9). Therefore mezuzah: a scroll of parchment that read the verses of the Shema and affixed to the pole right of every room in the house of a Jew.

In addition to its role as a declaration and reminder of our faith, mezuzah also a symbol of Gd's watchful care. Name of Gd, Sha-dai, which appears on the back of the parchment, is the acronym for the Hebrew words meaning "to guard the doors of Israel." Placement of a mezuzah on the door of your home or office protects the inhabitants - whether they're in or out.

2. What I Need?

To properly affixed to the doorpost mezuzahs, you will need:

1) Kosher mezuzah scrolls - one for each door of the qualification in your home or office.

2) Protection of cases where the roll of parchment rolled up, inserted.

3) A tape measure and pencil to mark the place where the mezuzah was affixed to the pole.

4) Hammer and nails, or industrial-strength glue or tape, which to affix the mezuzah.

5) A prayer book or a printed card with a blessing.

3. Mezuzah Need a room?

Before you go to buy your mezuzahs, you need to find out how much home you need. Need mezuzah to a door?

mezuzah is affixed to every door in your home or office that leads into a space that is appropriate, except for bathrooms. What qualifies as a space ""? Each enclosure was at least 6.5 ft x 6.5 ft. This includes the vestibules, hall, large walk-in closets, etc.

If there are several doors leading to the room, the door of each need their own mezuzah. Doors without doors (eg, arches between rooms) also requires a mezuzah. Calculating the doors of which are eligible to determine the amount you need to get mezuzahs.

4. Obtain Kosher Mezuzahs

Now you know how many mezuzahs you need, do some research to find a place to buy your mezuzahs. Because mezuzahs to be done in accordance with the law is very precise and specifications, only experts can determine whether the mezuzah is kosher.

Some basics: mezuzah must be hand written by a competent expert on specially prepared parchment with a certain type of pen and ink mandated by tradition. All too often, printed or incorrect mezuzahs prepared - or even a mezuzah case is empty - the fraudulent sale. So be sure to buy from trusted sources mezuzahs your religion or your rabbi for help.

Mezuzah scrolls and then rolled from left to right and placed right-side up in a protective case.

5. Mark the Spot

mezuzah is affixed to the doorpost of the right, in the bottom third of the door frame.

To the front door, the right pole is on the right doorpost of people who enter from the street. In an internal door, this is the pillar to the right of people who fall into that direction toward the open door. If there is no door, thinking about the importance and function: the dining room is more important in the hierarchy of the house (this is used more formally) from the kitchen, so at the entrance to dinning room and kitchen mezuzah must be on the right of people to enter the dining room.

To determine the correct height in which to affix mezuzah, use a tape measure to get the total height of the door frame. Dividing it into three, and measure the amount of the share of your doorpost. Use a pencil to mark the place, you will attach your mezuzah just above that mark (see picture).



6. Blessing

You are now ready to do the mitzvah of affixing the mezuzah. Blessing which is recited only once, before installing it mezuzahs. You will put up the first mezuzah on the door of the most important - your front door, so that's where you should stand, mezuzah and tools in hand. When you read a blessing, remember that it applies to all of you will be when affixing mezuzahs in your home.

Say the blessing:


Baruch Atah A-do-nai Elo-Melech heinu haolam asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu likboa mezuzah.



Blessed are you Gd our Gd, King of the Universe, Who has made us holy with the mitzvah and ordered us to put up a mezuzah.

7. Affix a Mezuzah

mezuzah must be permanently attached to the frame of the door. Use a hammer and nails, glue, or tape durable. Position the mezuzah on the top one-third mark you made. Need to outer edge of the door frame, on the diagonal with a pointed toward the top. (See picture)

Immediately after reading the blessing, affix the mezuzah. Do not let the noise as you can then proceed to the remaining rooms in your home. Do not forget to affix a mezuzah any specifications mentioned above.

8. Regular Check-Ups

You have completed the mitzvah of affixing mezuzahs. Your house is proud to display the Jewish identity, and you have tapped this unique spiritual relationship. But you're not finished. mezuzah is a sacred object that must be maintained to preserve its sanctity.

At least two times in seven years, we lowered our mezuzahs and professional they are checked to ensure that they are still intact. examine the roll of the clerk to ensure that no mail has been cracked or removed and which are still kosher mezuzah. we make our vigilance mezuzahs their function: to bring holiness, protection and services throughout our home.
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Affixing a mezuzah

According to halakha, mezuzah should be placed on the right side door, in the upper third of the pile (ie, approximately shoulder height), [2] in about 3 inches (8 cm) from the open door [quote. needed] In general, the halakha requires mezuzot posted within 30 days after moving into a rented house or apartment. This applies to Jews who lived in the Diaspora (ie, outside the Land of Israel). For a house or apartment purchased in the Diaspora, or residence in Israel (which is owned or rented), mezuzah is affixed immediately after moving into The reason for this difference is that there is an assumption that when the Jews live in Israel, Israel will remain / her stayed constant, while the houses in the diaspora is temporary. This case can be affixed to the doorpost with nails, screws, glue, or tape. Scroll wrap in plastic wrap before placing it in this case will protect from the elements. Care must be taken not to tear or damage the parchment or the words on it, because this will cancel the mezuzah, which is considered the Torah.
Mezuzah affixed to the door frame on South Street in Philadelphia.

Where the door is wide enough, Ashkenazi Jewish and Spanish and Portuguese Jewish mezuzah tilted so that the top slants toward the room where the door is open. This was done to accommodate the variant opinions of Rashi and Rabbi medieval Rabbeinu Tam, whether it should be placed horizontally or vertically, and also to imply that God and the Torah (the mezuzah symbolizes) entered the room. Most non-Jewish Sephardim and Ashkenazi affixes mezuzah vertically. [3]

This procedure is to keep mezuzah to the place where it will taped, and then read a blessing:

. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשַׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָנוּ לִקְבּוֹעַ מְזוּזָה
Baruch atta Adonai melech Eloheinu ha'olam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu likboa 'mezuza.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His mitzvot, and commanded us to put up a mezuzah.

Every Jewish person can read the blessing given him old enough to understand the importance of the mitzvah. After the blessing, mezuzah attached.

When some mezuzot embellishment, that's enough to read a blessing, before affixing the first.

Checking parchment

Orthodox Jews have a qualified clerk parchment mezuzot check for defects (such as small tears or faded lettering) at least twice every seven years. [4] [5]

Mezuzah cases
Metal mezuzah case.
Marquetry mezuzah case.

The command to put the mezuzah is much followed in the Jewish world, even by those Jews who do not obey the religion. While an important part of the mezuzah is "Klaff," or parchment, and not the case itself, designing and producing a mezuzah case has been elevated to an art form for centuries. Mezuzot produced by various types of materials, from silver and precious metals, to wood, stone, ceramic, tin, and even polymer clay. Some dealers mezuzah case will provide or offer for sale a copy of the text that has been photocopied on paper; is not a valid mezuzah, which must be written by hand into a piece of parchment by a qualified expert.


Mezuzah cases
Metal mezuzah case.
Marquetry mezuzah case.

The command to put the mezuzah is much followed in the Jewish world, even by those Jews who do not obey the religion. While an important part of the mezuzah is "Klaff," or parchment, and not the case itself, designing and producing a mezuzah case has been elevated to an art form for centuries. Mezuzot produced by various types of materials, from silver and precious metals, to wood, stone, ceramic, tin, and even polymer clay. Some dealers mezuzah case will provide or offer for sale a copy of the text that has been photocopied on paper; this is not a valid mezuzah, which must be written by hand into a piece of parchment by a qualified expert.

Additional Inscription

It is customary to write two papers in the back of the parchment:

* The Hebrew word שדי (Shaddai)
* The phrase "כוזו במוכסז כוזו"

Shaddai, one of God's biblical name, also served here as an acronym for Shomer Yisrael Daltot, "The porter of Israel." mezuzah Many cases are also marked with the Hebrew letter ש (Shin), for Shaddai.

"כוזו במוכסז כוזו" is a cipher - a shift in one letter - from the third, fourth and fifth words of the Shema, "Adonai, Eloheinu, Adonai," "Lord, our God, the Lord", but written on the back of the mezuzah it, otherwise the words that fit on the front [6] this paper., derived from the 11th century and found among the Sages of Germany.

According to the Sephardic custom (minhag), the phrase כוזו "במוכסז כוזו" is prohibited, and only the Hebrew word שדי (Shaddai) will be written on the back of the mezuzah. This practice is supported by the Shulchan Aruch and the writings of the Rambam. Ashkenazi habit of writing the second phrase, however, supported in the writings of Remo.

References

1. ^ Dovid Zaklikowski. "Which Rooms Require a Mezuzah?". http://www.chabad.org/library/article.asp?AID=225406.
2. ^ Beit Yosef YD 289; and see Nekudot Hakesef ad loc
3. ^ "Mezuzah - Which Way Is Up??". http://ohr.edu/ask/ask059.htm.
4. ^ Babylonian Talmud, Yoma 11a
5. ^ Shulchan Aruch (291:1)
6. ^ Alexander Poltorak The Mysterious Name