A mezuzah is a Jewish ritual object that separates the threshold of the home or workplace from the rest of the world. Each mezuzah contains a rolled-up kosher parchment bearing the Shema prayer and which is intended to protect the people living in the house. The parchment case can be plain or decorated, but its purpose is to remember the covenant with God. By getting the correct material and hanging the mezuzah in the right way, you can demonstrate your Jewish faith.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Getting the Material
Step 1. Purchase a kosher scroll
These rolled sheets are written by scribes using a particular type of pen and ink, as well as a special paper; the best scrolls are created with respect for these traditions and should be purchased from a reputable religious authority.
- According to the doctrine, you should have a mezuzah for each room; that is to say the entrance and the large walk-in closets, excluding, however, those areas considered unclean or in which one dresses improperly, for example the bathroom and indoor swimming pools.
- Ask the rabbi where you can get some properly crafted scrolls.
Step 2. Choose a case
The rolled sheet is placed in a special container that you can hang near the door and which must comfortably contain the sheet without crushing it. Most cases are 10-12cm high with an opening on the side or back; you can buy them online or at a shop selling Jewish religious items.
The containers are available in many different styles, such as plain wood, metal or glass; they can also be decorated, carved or painted with religious images
Step 3. Prepare the measuring tools
You need a tape measure to determine the height at which to hang the mezuzah. Once you've found the right spot, use a pencil or other similar object to draw a line corresponding to the base of the case.
Step 4. Get the materials to hang the parchment
Typically, a nail and a hammer or a screw and a drill are used. Choose hardware suitable for the mezuzah, it must be strong enough to penetrate the door jamb and firmly support the parchment; alternatively, you can use very strong glue or double-sided tape.
You should use glue or tape only in case the case opens at the bottom; these fixing methods are not suitable for containers that open at the rear
Part 2 of 2: Hang the Mezuzah Securely
Step 1. Insert the parchment into the case
The mezuzah should be rolled from left to right and placed inside the container making sure it is not damaged. The word "Shaddai" (אֵל שָׁדַּי) should be facing outward and the letter "Shin" (ש) should stay on top, facing the entrance.
Step 2. Consider where to hang the parchment
You should always place it on the right side of the front door. When you enter the house from the street, you should see it on the right door jamb; As for the interior doors of the house, the mezuzah must be on the right as you enter the room, just as the doors are opened.
If it is a doorless access, assess the level of importance of that environment in daily life. The dining room is the meeting point for the whole family and is used more than the kitchen; if so, the scroll should remain on the right when you enter this room from the kitchen
Step 3. Measure the jamb
Use a tape measure to measure the total height of the door, divide the value by three and report the distance you found on the jamb starting from the top. Make a mark with your pencil at that point. The trace you drew indicates the level at which the base of the mezuzah must be found, more or less at shoulder height when considering a standard door.
If the entrance is higher than average, hang the case with the parchment at the height of your shoulders
Step 4. Say the blessing
Before hanging the mezuzah you need to say a few words in Hebrew (the appropriate language for these rites). You should say: "Baruch Atah A-donai E-loheinu Melekh haOlam, asher kidshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu likboa mezuzah".
- In Italian the blessing can be translated as: "Blessed Be You Lord our God King of the World who have sanctified us with your precepts and commanded us to post the mezuzah".
- When hanging numerous scrolls, only one blessing is enough, but try not to talk until you have them all in place.
- The mezuzah that is taken out of its seat for more than 24 hours must be blessed again.
Step 5. Put it on the nail
The point of the jamb on which you have drawn a mark corresponds to the base of the case; then place the mezuzah on the jamb or, if you know its height, report this distance on the door starting from the line and upwards. Insert a nail or use the fastening system of your choice to hang the parchment.
Step 6. Hang it up properly
At this point, the base of the case should be on the mark you made, roughly at shoulder height. Tilt the top of the mezuzah towards the room and the base towards the outside of the residence. Add a second nail or screw to keep the parchment even tighter or add some masking tape.
Advice
- If you have any questions or concerns regarding the rules governing mezuzah, consult a rabbi.
- The mezuzah of every Jewish home should be carefully inspected by a scribe twice every seven years for damage from weather, temperature and aging.
