Did you know that the word ‘mezuzah’ (plural: mezuzot) means ‘doorpost?’ Although we often focus our attention on the outside case, the scroll inside is the important part. The verse instructing us to write a mezuzah reads: “You shall write [these words] upon the mezuzot—doorposts—of your house and upon your gates.” It can be found in Deuteronomy 6:9.

Each mezuzah scroll contains the first two portions of the Shema, written by hand on parchment. That can make the scroll a little costly; also, it needs to be checked twice every seven years to make sure it hasn’t been damaged by weather or by being rolled up for a long time. Once it is affixed to the doorpost, it is tradition to place your hand on it, and some people then kiss that hand.

Placing a mezuzah is a mitzvah, and we should have one at every door opening in our homes. They are not required for rooms that are smaller than 6.3 by 6.3 feet, so no need to put them on your closets. We also don’t put them on the bathroom door. And when a doorway has no doorpost and lintel, a mezuzah is also not required. The outside case can be made of anything: metal, glass, plastic, wood, and throughout the years, many artists have tried their hand at creating wonderful mezuzah cases.

At the Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus, we have so many different ones, it’s easy to lose count. Are you thinking about your own cases? We would love to hear from you, and see what is divinely protecting your scroll(s) and your home.

We hope you will feel inspired, and are ready to share your story with us!

Questions? Email:

Naomi Fox
nfox@jewishomaha.org

Pam Monsky
pmonsky@jewishomaha.org

Jane Nesbit
jnesbit@jewishomaha.org

Annette van de Kamp-Wright
avandekamp@jewishomaha.org