The Biblical Foundation of Mezuzah
Jews have been putting mezuzot on the doors of their houses since biblical days. We read the commandment concerning the mezuzah every time we read the Shema: “inscribe them [these words] on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” The mezuzah reminds us of our relationship to God every time we leave our houses and every time we return, serving as a sacred guardian of Jewish homes and a visible symbol of faith.
Understanding the Mezuzah: Case and Sacred Contents
A mezuzah can be made of practically anything: glass, wood, plastic, ceramic, clay, metal, but no matter what it’s made of, the important part of the mezuzah is the kosher parchment scroll (klaf) inside. The mezuzah case is simply a protective housing for the truly sacred element—the handwritten parchment containing God’s words.
The parchment contains two passages from Deuteronomy that form the foundation of Jewish faith and practice. The first passage is the first paragraph of the Shema (Deut 6:4-9), which declares the fundamental unity of God: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.” The second is the second paragraph of the Shema (Deut 11:13-21) which is not usually recited in Reform services but contains equally important teachings about divine reward and consequence. Both of these passages contain the explicit commandment for affixing a mezuzah to our doorposts.
To be kosher, these sacred passages must be written by hand on specially prepared parchment by a qualified sofer (scribe) using traditional ink and techniques. You can get kosher parchments for about $31 from our online store, ensuring your mezuzah fulfills the halachic requirements of this ancient mitzvah.
The back of the parchment contains the word Shaddai which means “Almighty,” but also stands for shomer delatot yisrael: guardian of the doors of Israel. If you place the parchment in the mezuzah case yourself, roll it from left to right so that the word Shaddai faces out. If your mezuzah has an opening, Shaddai should appear in it, otherwise align the word with the front of the case.
Step-by-Step Mezuzah Installation Guide
Proper Placement and Positioning
Location on Doorpost: The mezuzah should be placed on the right-hand doorpost as you enter the room or house. The Talmud learns this from the biblical word “your gates,” indicating the side of natural entry. This positioning ensures that the mezuzah serves as a welcoming blessing as you cross the threshold into your Jewish home.
Height and Angle:
- Position: The mezuzah goes in the upper third of the right doorpost, approximately two-thirds of the way up the doorpost from the floor
- Ashkenazi custom: Place the mezuzah on a diagonal with the top pointing inward to the room, representing a compromise between different rabbinic opinions
- Sephardic custom: Place the mezuzah vertically (straight up and down)
- Narrow doorposts: If the doorpost is too narrow for diagonal placement, it can be placed vertically
Distance from Edge: The mezuzah should be within the outer handbreadth (approximately 3.2 inches) of the doorpost. If the doorpost is wider than a handbreadth, the mezuzah can be placed on the outermost part. For very low doorposts, consult a rabbinical authority for proper placement guidance.
Secure Attachment Methods
The mezuzah must be permanently attached to the doorpost using reliable methods:
- Best options: Hammer and nails or screws for maximum security
- Alternative methods: Strong adhesive glue or durable double-sided tape
- Surface preparation: When using adhesive, ensure the doorpost surface is clean and dry
- Avoid: Regular scotch tape or temporary adhesives that might allow the mezuzah to fall
The Mezuzah Blessing
Before affixing the mezuzah to the doorpost, recite the following blessing with intention and reverence:
Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לִקְבֹּעַ מְזוּזָה
Transliteration: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam, asher kidshanu v’mitzvotav v’tzivanu likboa mezuzah.
Translation: Blessed are you Adonai our God, sovereign of the universe, who makes us holy with the mitzvot and commands us to affix a mezuzah.
What Every Family Should Know About Mezuzah’s Life-Changing Message
Installing a mezuzah teaches families that every entrance and exit from our homes can become a moment of spiritual awareness, transforming ordinary doorways into sacred thresholds that remind us of our values and commitments each time we pass through them. This ancient practice shows children that Jewish identity isn’t confined to synagogue or special occasions, but rather creates a continuous sense of God’s presence that sanctifies the very spaces where we live, eat, sleep, and grow together as families. Most importantly, the mezuzah demonstrates that the words we speak about loving God “with all our heart, soul, and might” aren’t merely abstract concepts, but practical commitments that we literally attach to our homes as permanent reminders of the covenant that shapes every aspect of Jewish family life.
A Translation of the Sacred Text in the Mezuzah
The First Paragraph (Shema): “Hear O Israel, G-d our Lord is G-d the Only One. You shall love G-d with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your power. These words which I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them to your children and you shall speak about them when you dwell in your house, when you travel on the road, when you lie down and when you arise. You shall tie them as a sign on your arm and as a head ornament between your eyes. You shall inscribe them on the doorposts of your home and your gates.”
The Second Paragraph: “And it shall happen, if you obey my commandments which I command you today, to love G-d within all your hearts and all your souls that I will give the rains of the land in its proper time, the light rains and the heavy rains, and you will gather your grain, your wine and your oil. I will give grass in your fields for your livestock. You will have enough to eat and you will be satisfied. Guard yourselves, lest your hearts lead you astray and you will serve other gods and you will bow to them. G-d will then become angry with you and will withhold the rain, and the land will not produce its bounty. You will quickly be lost from upon the good land that G-d has granted you. You shall place these words on your hearts and on your souls. You shall tie them as a sign on your arms and they shall be head ornaments between your eyes, and you shall teach them to your children to speak about them when you dwell in your house, when you travel on the road, when you lie down and when you arise. You shall inscribe them on the doorpost of your houses and your gates. So that you and your children may live many years on the land that G-d has promised to your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.”
Practical Installation Tips
Who Can Install: You can install a mezuzah yourself—no rabbi is required. While some communities honor rabbis by inviting them to affix mezuzot, this is purely customary rather than halachically necessary. The installation becomes a meaningful family moment when done together.
Multiple Mezuzot: Most homes require multiple mezuzot. Generally, any doorway leading to a room where people live, sleep, or spend significant time should have a mezuzah. Consult rabbinical guidance for specific questions about bathrooms, temporary structures, or unusual doorway configurations.
Maintenance and Care: Check your mezuzot periodically to ensure they remain securely attached and that the parchment inside has not deteriorated. Kosher parchments should be inspected by a qualified sofer every few years to maintain their validity.
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