The Mezzuzah

There will be a small container mounted to the doorpost at the entrance to the synagogue (and to the doorposts at the entrances to most rooms).   You will find it on the upper third of the right-hand doorpost as you enter.[i] It will be mounted at an angle, with the top to­ward the inside.   The word mezzuzah literally means "doorpost," but it is most commonly used to refer to the container.

The container holds a parchment on which is written Deuteron­omy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21.   This text (which is also inside the t'fillin) is the begin­ning of the Sh'ma prayer.   The full significance of this text is described later, in the discus­sion of the Sh'ma prayer.

Many Jews follow the custom of kissing the mezzuzah when they enter and leave.   This is done by touching their fingertips first to the mezzuzah and then to their lips.

The mezzuzah has nothing to do with the synagogue.   It is present in all Jewish homes (and most buildings owned by Jews).   Affixing a mez­zuzah is an explicit bibli­cal commandment.[ii]

In addition to its significance as an emblem of the val­ues contained in the Sh'ma prayer, a mezzuzah evokes warm sentiments as a symbol of a traditional home, and as an appeal to divine sheltering protection (because it is reminis­cent of the protection from the last plague of the Exodus).

Judaism employs many beloved objects in the perfor­mance of ritual, but objects are not intrinsically holy in Judaism.   Ob­jects can not cure, protect, or magically strengthen in any way.   Neither can the ritual acts that use objects.   Objects enable people to experience their own holiness, which they in turn can use to sanctify time.   In contrast, the words of the Torah are considered holy.   Therefore, objects that contain them, such as Torah scrolls, t'fillin, and Mezzuzot are treated with reverence.



Mezzuzot (plural of mezzuzah) can also be works of art.   Because Jewish Tradition emphasizes the art of living and deemphasizes representative art, Jewish visual artistry has traditionally focused on calligraphy and on beautifying ritual objects.   There is a principle that commandments should be ful­filled in the most beautiful way possible. [iv] We should max­imize the delight in their perfor­mance.   A counterbalancing principle holds that the intention of doing a mitzvah (fulfilling a divine commandment) should itself be the greatest possible delight.[v] In any case, Jews appreciate beautiful ritual objects, even though the simplest examples have un­equalled beauty in their purpose.  

Mezzuzot can be found in a variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and designs -- from playful ceramic animals for children's rooms, to exquisite silver and glass creations for adult apprecia­tion.   The parchment inside a mezzuzah always reflects the holy intent and concentration of the scribe.   Mezzuzot on exterior doorposts and in public buildings are likely to have simple inexpensive cases.

--- adapted from "The Synagogue Survival Kit" by Jordan Lee Wagner, publ. by Rowman & Littlefield. 1997.