December 2004
The Significance of Mezuzot
Chanukah means “dedication.” As our ancestors rededicated the
Holy Temple in Jerusalem on Chanukah over 2,000 years ago, so we are invited
to dedicate our own “miniature holy temples,” our homes, today.
We can create a holy atmosphere in our homes through Shabbat and holiday rituals,
giving tzedakah, sharing Torah words and by the welcome, respect and love with
which we treat family members and others.
One very special way in which we dedicate our homes as Jewish “temples”
is to affix a mezuzah to the front door, so that we and others are reminded
of God’s word in all of our coming and goings throughout the day. Indeed,
attaching the mezuzah is known as “dedicating the home.” Some people
have mezuzot on every door (except for utilitarian areas such as bathrooms and
closets). The mezuzah, meaning “doorpost,” is a scroll affixed on
the doorposts to fulfill the words of the Shema and ve’ahavta (in Deuteronomy
Chapter 6): “write them (words of Torah) on the doorposts of your house
and upon your gates.”
A kosher mezuzah contains the words of the first two paragraphs of the Shema
on a handwritten parchment scroll, written by a scribe in the same way that
the Torah scroll in the synagogue is written. The outside case is actually secondary
in importance to the contents, but it can be beautiful and artistic, made of
wood, glass or metal. Decorative ones are available with designs for children’s
rooms. Often a Hebrew letter Shin or the word “Shadai” appears, meaning
“God almighty,” and also serving as an acronym, standing for the Hebrew
words meaning, “Guardian of the doors of Israel.”
Over the past few months, several members of our congregation have found that
their Torah scrolls were in need of replacement. One should check the mezuzot
every few years to be sure that they are still in good condition. Fran Halimi
has ordered several kosher scrolls for our gift shop, (they are $30 each; recall
that each was written by hand with a quill on parchment by a Torah scribe),
as well as a selection of lovely cases. I recommend purchasing a kosher scroll
at least for your front door. We have always bought them for all the doors in
our home (minus the exceptions mentioned above).
Mezuzot should be put on a home in the diaspora (outside of Israel) within 30
days. In Israel, it is done immediately, and not only on homes, but offices
and stores usually have them, as well. The mezuzah is placed on the right side
of the door as you enter a room, in the upper third, but not within a handbreadth
of the top of the door. They may be lower if the user can’t reach high
enough to touch the mezuzah when entering the room. Customarily it is slanted
inward. Upon affixing a mezuzah, we recite the blessing: Baruch Atah Adonai,
Eloheynu Melech Ha’Olam, Asher kidshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu likboa mezuzah.
(Blessed are You, Lord our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who has made us holy
with commandments and given us the mitzvah of affixing the mezuzah.) One should
add the shecheyanu prayer when moving to a new home.
I would be happy to help people put up mezuzot on their doors and would encourage
everyone who is ready for this mitzvah, needs to replace a worn mezuzah scroll,
or desires to purchase a kosher one, to take advantage of the fact that they
are available now at CBI. What a wonderful way to celebrate Chanukah!
Chag Sameach, Happy Holiday,
Rabbi Julie Hilton Danan