Mezuzah

[Seeker2]

Hey everyone!! I have been enjoying reading all of your posts and want to thank you all for the discussions! They're great!
I have questions about the mezuzah....I realize we have to have one, but I'm not sure what to do with it. Does it go inside or outside? Must it tilt one way or other or be strait? Does it have to be store bought, written on lambskin, etc...or can we write it ourselves and save money (after all the bible itself is on paper and not lambskin!) Does it have to be a scripture in a box, or can it be a wall plaque?
Thank you all! It is likely you have had this discussion, but I have not found it!

[Chizuk Emunah]

Shalom Seeker!

Some may disagree, but here is my opinion on mezuzot.

1) You should have one on every doorpost in your house (excluding bathrooms and closets), though at a minimum one should be on the doorpost of the front door
2) It should be on the outside of the doorframe of the front door
3) How you affix them is simply a matter of minhag (custom), Ashkenazim hang them at an angle and S'fardim hang them straight up and down
4) It should definitely be written by a trained sofer on a kosher parchment (this adds to the dimension of holiness in keeping the mitzvah)

Here are some good websites: [url=http://www.judaicawebstore.com/aish/category.aspx
categoryID=12]JudaicaWebstore[/url]; Judaism.com; JewishSource

If you don't like any of those just do a google search for "mezuzah." Make sure that when you buy the parchment that it is listed as "kosher" and appears to be from a reputable source. There are many fakes out there.

[Mark]

As usual, I suppose, I'll be the one to disagree; but not at all entirely. I recommend a prayerful pursuit of obedience- not just doing so because it says so and therefore adhering to the mandates of orthodoxy in order to be pious. That sounds a bit harsh; but I fear that we can easily slip into mindless ritualism as opposed to sincerely desiring to walk in fellowship with Adonai.

Historically, not all Jews considered the mezuzah to be a physical object, just as not all Jews consider the binding of Tefillin to be literal; rather they understood to inscribe all of on the doorposts (impossible to do) as to make one's home a sanctuary. Even the rabbinical authority of today (not Kaballism or mystical interppretations of Judaism) would say that the Mezuzah is only a symbolic reminder of . This argues against the need for it to be anything specially dedicated or sanctified as kosher.

At the same time, we are talking about your own worship, your own personal walk with Adonai. For Natanel to affix anything less than what his conviction is would be offering to God a half-hearted offering.

I hold rabbinical authority with as much skepticism as I do traditional Christianity: there is value and wisdom; but not wholly reliable nor trustworthy.

I take great consolation in the story of Josiah in 2nd Kings 22 and 23. They didn't have "oral ". They had no traditions. They simply found this book that had been hidden away and recognized it to be the Word of God. In great zeal, without knowing how, they obeyed.

If you do anything out of practical obedience and not out of prayerful worship, then I think you're missing the point. If you purchase and affix a mezuzah so that you can check that mitzvot off of your list, then you've cheated yourself out of a blessing. Spend time in prayer. I recommend praying over some various choices of what mezuzah you think might be right for your home and enjoy the process of choosing and listening to the Spirit of Adonai.

[Chizuk Emunah]

but I fear that we can easily slip into mindless ritualism as opposed to sincerely desiring to walk in fellowship with Adonai.

Excellent point. We must always remember the reason why we keep the mitzvot. If we do so from a purely ritualistic standpoint, then we have failed to grasp the point and have fallen into legalism. But, if we do with a right mind and out of a sincere desire to serve HaShem with our absolute best, then we are on the right track.

Historically, not all Jews considered the mezuzah to be a physical object, just as not all Jews consider the binding of Tefillin to be literal

This is true, though it should be noted that these were the same who only considered the validity of the Written alone; excluding not only the Oral , but also the Nevi'im and Ketuvim.

One other note to add: reportedly (will have to double-check my sources) ancient tefillin and mezuzot is said to contain the Aseret HaDevirot (the Ten Words) carved in stone.

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

I think everyone has brought up valid points. I for one have a mezuzah on every doorpost. Not only do they have the word of Elohim upon them, but it is a constant reminder when your rise up and when you lay down, when you are coming, and when you are going that you are to live a life of . Everyone whom comes in and goes out it is to be reminded how important our Heavenly Father's is in our lives and what we stand for. It is just one more way the gives us an opportunity to witness to a people without light that the word of Elohim is the doorway to life. I place my mezuzah straight/vertical on my door post to remind myself that we are not to turn to the right or to the left when obeying our Father's Word.

Shalom chaverim,

Reuel

[Blake]

This is true, though it should be noted that these were the same who only considered the "validity of the Written alone; excluding not only the Oral , but also the Nevi'im and Ketuvim.

One other note to add: reportedly (will have to double-check my sources) ancient tefillin and mezuzot is said to contain the Aseret HaDevirot (the Ten Words) carved in stone."

I'm not sure if Samaritans (who only revere ) wear teffiillin, but the Karaites deny oral but most certainly revere the Tanakh in its entirety. What group are you referring too?

And yes, I hade also read that they contained the Ten Sayings but never that they were written on stone. I read they were written on the parchment just like everything else and were changed when C*h*r*i*s*tianity put such a hard emphasis on them to keep themselves separate.

[Chizuk Emunah]

What group are you referring too?

The ancient Tzeddukim, better known as the Sadducees.

The writings on stone are extremely old. I think they were early 2nd Temple. Like I said, I'll have to see if I can dig up the sources again, but it was extremely interesting.

Oh, before I forget... Reuel, I loved what you said when you likened putting a mezzuzah on a doorpost to a "doorway of life." That was really good.

[Blake]

Can you name some sources? Because, this is the first I've ever heard that the Tzaddikim revered and nothing else. Of course, before the "Council of Yavne" organized by Yochonan Ben Zakkai the Tanakh's cannon was not completely solidified. Certain books were excluded, but the Tanakh as we know it today was most likely already generally accepted by non-hellenists. I am fairly certain that while the Tzaddikim did not hold the Prophets and the Writings to same degree they did indeed accept the full Tanakh, and most likely also Maccabes and perhaps the books of the LXX canon. They used the Tanakh to legitamize their reign because they claimed descent from Tzaddik the High Priest mentioned therein. Because they depended on the records and genaelogies within the Tanakh I highly doubt they did not use them.

In fact, from my studies I find it to be a common misconception that the Sadducees outright denied Oral . They only disagreed on whether Oral should be written down or not, and disagreed on points of it. Without somekind of Oral Tradition it would've been impossible to hold a functioning justice system.

See the Dead Sea Scroll 4Q MMT for more on this. They simply disagreed on transmission of the Oral Law, not the Oral Law itself.

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

Here is something for our Karites out there. Perhaps the statement that the mezuzah is only oral law is in fact the oral tradition of the Karaites, and thus it is doing away with the command of Elohim...There is something to think about when ever you suppose that the Karaites must be right because they say they are scriptural literalists. The fact is, they have their own vast body of oral tradition...whether they admit it, or not.
There is nothing wrong with a custom or tradition as long as it's aim is to fulfill , and it does not break it.

Shalom,

Reuel

[nasah]

After reading this hillarious joke about this wealthy person who had a house built and then asked the contractor to put up all the mezzuzah's and was shocked to find the contractor did excellent work putting them up just right, but took out the "warranties" I was reminded that the Mezzuzah still creates an issue for me.

First i suppose i'd like to ask how this practice began that scripture was rolled up into a box which was then fastened to any door in the house. Does anyone here know?

Secondly i would like to address the purpose of the Mezzuzah.

The reason i'm asking is that i wanted to attach some mezzuzah's to the door frames of my home, but somehow thought what purpose does a box serve with writing in it you can't see?

Sure one could memorize what is written and then take the pains to recite it their mind every time one sees the Mezzuzah and thus be reminded of God's holiness every time. Just like the Tzitzit in that regard. The Tzitzit however strike me a bit more of a constant reminder, and something more geared toward a daily walk, reminding myself and others on a constant basis. Whereas the mezzuzah has the word of God written within and hidden in a box. That whole concept somehow disturbs me.

Having seen footage of Jews through various programs briefly touching the box and quickly entering a house thereafter, it seems to be so automatic and therefore not something which really touches the heart as a reminder of holiness and conduct.

It does not seem any different to me as if i put a nail to the door frame saying every time you touch that nail and you must do so before you enter and be reminded of the death of Yeshua. Soon it would become second thought, an automatic thing, and then what purpose does this really serve?

Now i thought would it be different when one actually wrote the words on the door frame? Sure, it could become automatic there too that one would read it for the 5th time and become bored with it having seen it again and again now just glancing over it quickly, but a newcomer might actually read the words, and not just see a box that has "what?" hidden in it?

I would appreciate some thoughts and facts towards this or point me to articles or history etc....


Can anyone relate with the thoughts i have on the Mezzuzah?

Thanks for reading.

Shalom,
nasah

[nasah]

No replies or feedback anyone?
I was hoping someone had some thoughts or facts to share.

Meanwhile i contacted a dear friend who had this to say about the Mezzuzahs:

I thought the box for the mezzuzah in the Jewish tradition came about due to persecution. It was not safe to openly display. I am not sure if that is correct. It is what I heard.

The Samaritans still make the Mezzuzah as a type of door plaque, and sometimes building plaque. One I saw in Israel that was huge (like 4 feet by 2 feet) – was offset on the outside of the building, second floor, engraved marble. The inside of every house I visited in the Samaritan community contain many mezuzahs all over the inside walls in large decorative prints, that they make themselves. The most beautiful were made of silk fabric with needlework for the verse. The older ones I have seen (one at MSU from 4th century CE) are long and rectangular and go the full span of the top of the door, made of marble, engraved.

Finally here is a picture of the marble mezzuzah from the byzantine period, which was affixed to the top of the door.

The marble one in the picture is from the MSU collection, from the 4th century, it would have gone directly above the door. It is not complete, ¼ missing, due to a break.

I'll see if i can add a picture here somehow.

Hmm, how do i add a picture?

Shalom,
nasah

[Mark]

The command given in the Shema is to write (or literally, to inscribe) the words of in the doorposts of our houses and upon our gates.

The rabbinical answer is to affix a mezuzah (which means doorpost) to the doorpost of our homes. The Mezzuzah is a little box made of various materials and various sizes, that is glued or screwed to the door-frame of the house. Typically, they are to be found in the upper-third portion on the right-hand side as you are entering the home. It is also tradition to kiss your fingers and touch the mezuzah as you enter the home.

In most cases, that's all we hear about it. To some it is simply a physical omen or reminder that is to be important to us. To others it is a "phylactery" which literally means "guard case" and is for all intensive purposes, a good-luck charm. Kaballah stories, even in modern times, suggest that the mezuzah possesses power to bless or to curse a home depending upon its care and condition. A damaged scroll, it is said, has caused women to be unable to become pregnant or has caused a son to wander from his commitment to . Often, when a rabbi is asked to deal with baffling mystery in a home, he will ask to inspect the condition of the scrolls of the mezuzahs in the home. There are many accounts of how when the mezuzah is repaired, the problem is solved.

I want to take you back to the Shema, for a moment, though; and share with you what I think the substance of this teaching is all about.

There are two things that we are commanded: to bind the upon our hands and let them be frontlets before our eyes, and to write them on the door-posts of our house and on our gates. The two statements have a sense of equality in their structure. In the same way that we bind to our persons, we are to bind them upon our houses.

Some of the more orthodox will completely agree with this statement. They don tefillin, which is a small black box with leather straps. It contains the same passages of Scripture as the Mezuzah (at least in most cases) and is bound to one's forearm and forehead during morning prayers. This is not universally practiced among all religious Jews. Some believe that this instruction is symbolic: that you are to live as though all of were binding everything you touch and binding everything you see. They have strong evidence for this in Exodus 13:16, where the process of redeeming the firstborn is to be "as frontlets before your eyes." It is clear that we are not to walk around with a dead sheep tied to our forehead; therefore, this command is to be considered symbolic.

I don't discourage the use of tefillin during morning prayers, nor do I discourage any from affixing the mezuzah to their doors. Sure, you may get accustomed to seeing it and it may not be established as always part of your daily routine; but at times when it is vitally important, your eyes may pass over it, just as you are deciding what to allow into your home and what you will not.

The command to bind the to our hands and before our eyes is easily summed up in a familiar children's song: "Oh be careful little eyes what you see... for the Father up above is looking down in love...." is to be a filter through which we interpret all the elements of life: everything we see and touch should be understood through the lense of . In the same way, the affixing of the mezuzah is a declaration that everything that we allow into our homes is going to be certified kosher (in a strict biblical sense, not just what we eat.) We must ask the question, do the books, movies and magazines we allow into our homes reflect our position in ? When the Mormons and Jehovah's Witness come to my door, we go out and sit at the picnic table together. Their mission is contrary to my commitment to my home. Thye are not allowed to pass (as Mormom missionaries) beyond the mezuzah; though if they become learners of they may enter (the book of Mormon stays in the car).

You can find mezuzahs pretty much anywhere on the web. Most do not include a scroll. They should specify if they do and whether or not the text inside is certified kosher on parchment you will need to decide whether or not is important to you. Ask questions before you buy. I have two mezuzahs on my front door. The first is an actual wooden frame that goes around the door, that I etched into the wood the Shema (this is before I knew what a Jewish mezuzah was or looked like. You can see it from the road as you come to the house. In the more traditional place, but a little lower so that children can reach it, is a brass plate called an "open-faced mezuzah." You can find it here:

www.messiahsgifts4u.com/products/g01.html

It is appropriate to have a mezuzah at every entry into your home and even at the door frame of every room, with the exception of closets and bathrooms.

[Mark]

This is one of those areas where you can find a rabbi who will tell you the opinion you agree with whatever it may be. The one thing that can be argued against the open faced mezuzah is that it is molded, as in poured into a mold and imprinted from a cast as opposed to etched or inscribed.

In orthodoxy, there are varying levels of kosher for the mezuzah text. Some say it can be on paper, others require parchment, others require skins. Some distinguish between inks that can be used. Some limit the drying time of the ink. If the Jewish people are anything, they are meticulous, sometimes past the limits of our reasonable imagination.

Since obedience is a journey, start with what you know and what Adonai is calling you to do. He will direct you to change what He He determines needs changing as you grow and learn and walk intimately with Him.

[alon]

My wife just surprised me (more like shocked the stuffin' out'a me) and gave me a mezuzah. AND she said I could put it on the doorpost! Great! But now I am faced with a sudden quandary ... (would the plural of that be "quandrim" or "quandrot"?):

Aug 17, 2008 5:19:46 GMT -8 Mark said:

The command given in the Shema is to write (or literally, to inscribe) the words of in the doorposts of our houses and upon our gates. The rabbinical answer is to affix a mezuzah (which means doorpost) to the doorpost of our homes. ... It is also tradition to kiss your fingers and touch the mezuzah as you enter the home.

Isn't there also a short prayer each time? Should it go inside the screen door, but outside the door itself? And shouldn't I cut a gasket to put behind it so rainwater doesn't get behind it? Holding water would be bad for both the parchment and the doorframe.

... To some it is simply a physical omen or reminder that is to be important to us. To others it is a "phylactery" which literally means "guard case" and is for all intensive purposes, a good-luck charm. Kaballah stories, even in modern times, suggest that the mezuzah possesses power to bless or to curse a home depending upon its care and condition. A damaged scroll, it is said, has caused women to be unable to become pregnant or has caused a son to wander from his commitment to . Often, when a rabbi is asked to deal with baffling mystery in a home, he will ask to inspect the condition of the scrolls of the mezuzahs in the home. There are many accounts of how when the mezuzah is repaired, the problem is solved.

OK, treating anything that has religious significance like a "charm" or "omen" is like giving it pagan qualities. That would make it like an idol. No can do ... !!!

My understanding is the mezuzah has the same significance as a lambs blood smeared on the doorpost. The practice of smearing blood on doorposts in order to establish a blood covenant was a very common practice in most mid-eastern and near-eastern civilizations of the time of Moshe. This is also called a threshold covenant, which has the same symbolism as a marriage covenant. So the mezuzah, representing a blood covenant between the inhabitants of the house and the One True God is a very serious thing, I would think. If I ever thought I was worshiping the mezuzah, or giving it any significance other than as representing a covenant between my household and God, I'd have to remove it.

I want to take you back to the Shema, for a moment, though; and share with you what I think the substance of this teaching is all about. There are two things that we are commanded: to bind the upon our hands and let them be frontlets before our eyes, and to write them on the door-posts of our house and on our gates. The two statements have a sense of equality in their structure. In the same way that we bind to our persons, we are to bind them upon our houses.

And in this sense it is to me a beautiful reminder that "as for me and my house, we will serve YHVH." (Yehoshua 24:15)

... The command to bind the to our hands and before our eyes is easily summed up in a familiar children's song: "Oh be careful little eyes what you see... for the Father up above is looking down in love...." is to be a filter through which we interpret all the elements of life: everything we see and touch should be understood through the lense of . In the same way, the affixing of the mezuzah is a declaration that everything that we allow into our homes is going to be certified kosher (in a strict biblical sense, not just what we eat.) We must ask the question, do the books, movies and magazines we allow into our homes reflect our position in ?

And here I run into trouble. Almost every movie made in the last 20-30 yrs has something offensive to God in it. I got rid of most of the really bad stuff, like Harry Potter books and movies and Eddie Murphy (who never met a sentence that couldn't benefit from some foul language). But there is language, and scenes which I must fast forward through (and which I must admit is sometimes a strain on my eyes) in almost every movie I have. It's not that I shouldn't already be on top of these things; but placing something up that represents the covenant relationship really makes a person think; and is a constant reminder and prick at my conscience.

And what happens if my wife decides she wants a Christmas tree or wreath? (We're an odd pair- she, the Jew wants all the trappings of Christianity and me, as gentile as ever there was borned into redneck-dom am Messianic ... )

When the Mormons and Jehovah's Witness come to my door, we go out and sit at the picnic table together. Their mission is contrary to my commitment to my home. Thye are not allowed to pass (as Mormom missionaries) beyond the mezuzah; though if they become learners of they may enter (the book of Mormon stays in the car).

And this lines up with my understanding of what the mezuzah represents- nothing which is in any way pagan can cross over the threshold when the blood of a lamb or a mezuzah representing the same is on your door! The threshold covenant, a type of blood covenant, is a very serious thing, as I understand it. I'm sure familiarity breeds contempt with some, others may not know or might not believe it is that serious. And I do typically tend to overdo things. This is one of those times when I want to be careful of how I go about doing something that is typically "Jewish." So any advice ... tonga, if you are there I promise I won't be offended by anything you say ... (we really need a "begging" smiley here).

It is appropriate to have a mezuzah at every entry into your home and even at the door frame of every room, with the exception of closets and bathrooms.

Hmmmm, I thought it was just on the front entryway. But I suppose traditions/customs can vary. Fortunately she only gave me one, so that issue is sort of settled itself.

Dan C

[Yedidyah]

All great points alon.
Something to consider is wrapping the scroll with wax paper and that will protect it.
Here is a link that has some ideas on how to do it right.
I personally place mine straight up and down without any lean but that does not mean my way is the right way or not the right way

Shalom

www.hasofer.com/page.pl?p=attach