12 cm / 4.7 10 cm / 3.9 Brass Wood Stainless Steel Cement Clay Mezuzah Cases

The Mezuzah is affixed to all the doorposts of a Jewish home (except for the bathroom) as a reminder of the covenant between G-d and the Jewish People. Hanging a mezuzah on one’s door is a Biblical commandment and a Jewish tradition to this day. We have a wide range of beautiful Jewish mezuzahs to allow you to fulfill the commandment of installing mezuzah on doors, along with kosher scroll parchments containing the Biblical words of the Book of Deuteronomy to place inside.

You can read more about our full range of mezuzahs with our buying guide here.

What is a mezuzah

A mezuzah is a Jewish door ornament that fulfills a commandment and carries a powerful message. It 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 known as the Shema that commands the Jews to hang these words on the doorposts of their homes.

Where to hang a mezuzah

A mezuzah goes on the doorpost of the entrance to one’s home, and on the doorposts of every room except the bathroom. Our store has a range of Jewish mezuzahs that are sturdy enough for the outside doors and gates, in addition to lots of amazing designs for any room in the home, including kid-friendly mezuzah designs for children’s rooms.

Where do you mount a mezuzah? A mezuzah is affixed on the right-hand doorpost as one enters, within the top third of the doorpost.

How to hang a mezuzah

For ideal mezuzah hanging, one should use mounting tape or nails in order to affix the mezuzah case to the doorpost, with the mezuzah scroll placed inside. To help you with the proper way to hang a mezuzah on any doorpost, our store sells double-sided adhesive mounting tape here.

According to Ashkenazi tradition, a mezuzah should be slanted at about a 45-degree angle, pointing towards the inside of the room. In Sephardi tradition, meanwhile, the mezuzah placement is usually straight and completely vertical.

A mezuzah must be put up immediately upon moving in. Right before attaching the mezuzah to the door, one also recites the proper blessing or prayer.

Prayer for hanging a mezuzah

The mezuzah blessing recited before hanging, also called the mezuzah bracha, praises G-d and references the commandment to put up a mezuzah:

“Blessed are you, L-rd our G‑d, King of the Universe, Who has made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.”

Say the bracha right before affixing it to the door.

Why is the mezuzah slanted

If you live in or around an Ashkenazi Jewish community, you’ve probably seen all mezuzahs slanted on doorposts. It’s a compromise between two opinions that existed in medieval Jewish law whether the mezuzah should be vertical or horizontal. Both opinions are respected by hanging a mezuzah on a slant.

Ashkenazim lean them to the right towards the inside of the room, at around 45 degrees or less, whatever the width of the doorpost allows, with the top pointing towards the inside of the door.

Sephardi tradition, on the other hand, is to hang the Jewish mezuzah vertical. Both mezuzah placements are commonly seen in Israel today.

Why do you kiss the mezuzah

There is a non-binding tradition to kiss a mezuzah when passing one while walking into a home or room. This is in keeping with tradition to kiss holy objects containing a parchment scroll with holy words of the Torah inside. It is not the purpose of a mezuzah however, which is to remember the Exile from Egypt.

Modern mezuzah designs

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 traditional takes with Biblical motifs like the Tree of Life or pomegranate, Western Wall-inspired designs, or something totally modern like funky dog or cat mezuzahs - we have something for everyone!

Check out contemporary mezuzah designers based out of Israel 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.

Shin on mezuzah

Many mezuzah cases are adorned with the Hebrew letter Shin, which stands for “Shad-ai,” one of G-d’s holy names.From this, the mnemonic acronym Shomer Daltot Yisrael, "Guardian of Israel's doors" gives special reference to G-d’s guardianship over our homes.

Mezuzah meaning / mezuzah definition

The word “mezuzah” literally means “doorpost.” A mezuzah is a Jewish door ornament that fulfills the commandment for Jews to hang the words of the Bible on their doorposts.

A mezuzah consists of an outer mezuzah case with a klaf or “parchment scroll” inside. The mezuzah scroll text, written by a professional Jewish scribe, contains an excerpt from the Book of Deuteronomy known as the Shema that specifically mentions the commandment of the mezuzah.

Historic mezuzah Replicas from the Israel Museum

We carry Jewish mezuzahs by the Israel Museum whose designs are adaptations of historic Jewish artifacts. They come with a certificate of authenticity from the Israel Museum as well as an explanation of their historical significance. Check our catalog for available designs, which include a replica of an Esther Scroll case from 19th century Poland and an adaptation of a Bible binding from 17th century Germany.

Marc Chagall mezuzahs

We also have a special line of Marc Chagall mezuzah cases. Marc Chagall was a twentieth-century artist, many of whose Jewish-themed works grace Israeli buildings and museums around the world today. Some of our stunning, limited-edition March Chagall mezuzahs include reproductions of his famous "I Am The Lord Thy God" Ten Commandments painting, or a King David motif from the awe-inspiring “Exodus” tapestry that hangs in the Israeli Knesset building. All Marc Chagall mezuzahs ship in a deluxe gift case with a certificate of authenticity.

Sterling Silver mezuzahs

If luxury is what you’re looking for, then you’ve found it here with our stunning selection of incredible sterling silver mezuzah cases! Adorn your home with style and elegance by hanging a mezuzah made from luxurious silver and the best of Israeli craftsmanship, like a traditional Yemenite filigree design or smooth polished silver with a contemporary look or even floral or Jerusalem designs.