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The Mezuzah signifies the sanctity and blessing of the Jewish home. Actually, it is a portion of the Holy Torah, inscribed in the same manner and script as the Torah. It is an "original" sanctified document in accord with laws and precepts that dare not be compromised.

On this sacred scroll of parchment are inscribed two passages from the Torah, "Shema Yisroel" and "Vehaya" (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21).

"Hear, O Israel: Hashem our G-d, Hashem is one. Love the Hashem your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

"So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today -to love Hashem your G-d and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul - then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. I will provide grass in your fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied. Beware lest you be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. Then Hashem's anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land Hashem is giving you. Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that Hashem swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth."

It is customary, upon entering or leaving a residence, to touch the Mezuzah with the index and middle fingers of the right hand. This reverence acknowledges our belief in "Shema Yisroel," the Jewish declaration of faith, which expresses the unity of G-d, the duty of loving, and serving Him with our whole being. It is our obligation to observe this mitzvah in and out of the home.

The presence of the Mezuzah on the right hand side of our doorpost represents basic principles of our faith. It is our responsibility to visitors as well as to ourselves! When a Mezuzah is not valid, its blessings are nullified. Even if one letter or part of a letter is missing or imperfect, the Mezuzah may not be used. Only a "Kosher" Mezuzah sanctifies and protects the home, as well as fulfills the saying of the Psalmist, "G-d will guard your going and coming from now and for all time."

That is why when you purchase a Mezuzah for yourself or make it a gift to a relative or friend, you are obligated to assure its validity. Be certain that it is handwritten and that you obtain it from a reliable source.

If it's written in Torah script
by an ordained and dedicated scribe . . .
then it identifies, sanctifies and protects your home with its blessing . . .

Just as a Torah is adorned with ornaments, the Mezuzah is encased in any variety of traditional or contemporary cases as seen above. The contents, however, may never be compromised. Notice this clear Mezuzah cover pictured here.

Here's how to find out whether your Mezuzah is a blessing. . .

A Mezuzah should be affixed to the doorpost of each room in the home and place of business (including basement, attic and garage). A Mezuzah should never be placed at the entrance to a bathroom.

Inspection: Each Mezuzah must be examined by a reliable scribe, at least twice every seven years. Temperature and weather changes, as well as age, may cause the ink to fade and crack, thereby invalidating the Mezuzah. A Mezuzah should also be checked at the time of purchase.

Hebrew Transliteration: Boruch Ato A-do-nai Elo-heinu Melech Ho-olom asher kidshonu b'mitzvotov v'tzivonu likbvoa Mezuzah.

Translation: Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to affix a Mezuzah.

If more than one Mezuzah is being affixed at one time, only one blessing is recited. When affixing a Mezuzah to an archway, no blessing is recited

MEZUZAH INFORMATION AND SERVICE
if you need any additional information, or would like help or advice in obtaining a Mezuzah, please us. You can also arrange through us to check your Mezuzot.

The blessing and Mezuzah text in this article are Holy. Please treat with respect and do not discard!

Wishing you the best,

Dr. Akiva G. Belk

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