A Mezuzah is a beautiful and special Jewish ritual object used to mark the doorposts of Jewish homes. The word “mezuzah” literally means “doorpost,” and it’s a Jewish door ornament and piece of Judaica that fulfills the commandment for Jews to hang the words of the Bible on their doorposts.Originating in the Torah, mezuzahs consist of two parts - the mezuzah case and the mezuzah parchment scroll called a klaf. The klaf contained inside the case is inscribed with specific Hebrew verses: sections of the Shema prayer beginning with the famous words, Shema Yisrael.
Mezuzahs have two purposes: They serve to remind those entering and leaving of the covenant between Hashem and the Jewish people, and they identify one's dwelling as a Jewish household.
What is a mezuzah made of?
While there are many strict and complex laws surrounding the preparation of the mezuzah scroll, the cases that protect them don't require any particular specifications. Mezuzah cases are often decorative and can be made of a variety of different materials ranging from affordable and lightweight plastic cases to ornate masterpieces made from sterling silver, stone, wood, steel, and more.Mezuzah scrolls, meanwhile, are made from specially-prepared parchment and written by highly trained scribes called sofers, who carefully write each individual sacred letter to perfection. Once the klaf or scroll is complete, it's rolled up and placed inside the mezuzah case. The case is not sealed permanently, as it is recommended that scrolls be checked for damage or defects at least once or twice every seven years. The mezuzah case is affixed to the top third of a doorway on the right, right side up - straight and vertical in Sephardi tradition, and with the top of the mezuzah tilting towards the inside of the room in Ashkenazi tradition. It is customary to keep mezuzahs affixed to every doorway except for bathrooms and small closets.
Mezuzah components
A mezuzah consists of an outer mezuzah case - often beautifully decorated, in a range of possible materials and designs - with a klaf or parchment scroll inside. The mezuzah scroll text, written by a sofer or professional Jewish scribe, contains an excerpt from the Book of Deuteronomy that commands the Jews to hang these words on the doorposts of their homes.
Shin on mezuzah
Many mezuzah cases are adorned with the Hebrew letter Shin, which stands for “Shaddai,” one of G-d’s holy names.
Why does a mezuzah have a
Shin on it? The reason for the Hebrew letter Shin on a mezuzah is a reference to the holy name
Shaddai, which itself is an acronym for
Shomer Daltot Yisrael, "Guardian of Israel's doors". The Shin on a mezuzah therefore refers to G-d’s protection and guardianship over our homes.
Our store carries hundreds of modern mezuzah cases in thrilling designs from Israel’s top artists, with something to fit every style. Whether you like modern takes on Biblical motifs like the Tree of Life or pomegranate, Jerusalem or Star of David designs, or something totally modern like funky dog or cat mezuzahs - we have something for everyone!Check out contemporary mezuzah designers Dorit Judaica, Ofek Wertman, Yair Emanuel, Danon, and Shraga Landesman, and stunning, modern mezuzah materials like sterling silver, anodized aluminum, Jerusalem Stone, and even gorgeously painted wood.
Our store carries a wide range of mezuzahs for sale, including beautiful mezuzah cases from Israeli artists and kosher mezuzah scrolls written by trained religious scribes.We have a number of mezuzah cases from well-known Israeli artists, including Dorit Judaica, Ofek Wertman, Yair Emanuel, Danon, Laura Cowan, Rafael, Shraga Landesman, and Shoham Yemenite Art. So hang a mezuzah on your door that showcases the best of Israeli craftsmanship and style, with deep Jewish spiritual meaning!
See the rest of our mezuzah guides here:
Top 10 Beautiful Mezuzahs from IsraelMezuzah from Israel Gift GuideHow to Choose a Kosher Mezuzah ScrollWhat Do You Do With a Mezuzah?
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