Mezuzah

The word "Mezuzah" is Hebrew for "doorpost." It is also the term used for the little case that many Jews place on the right side of the entrance to their homes. A mezuzah may also be placed on the doorpost of any internal rooms of a home as well, with the exception of the bathrooms. One will also find a mezuzah on the entrances of synagogues and Jewish schools, as well as Jewish-owned businesses.

The Mezuzah contains a scroll, which if it is a kosher scroll, will contain a handwritten verse of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4~9) and the passage from Deuteronomy 11:13~21.. The Shema (which is Hebrew for "Hear"), is the biblical passage in which G~d commands us to keep His words in our minds and hearts by placing them on the doorposts of our homes. Because the first letter of the Shema is Shin, a Shin generally is found on the mezuzah.

In Askenazic tradition, the mezuzah is placed at an angle on the right side of the doorpost as one enters the room. Placing a mezuzah on a new home is a small family ceremony, called a Chanakkat HaBayit (which means the dedication of the home). The following blessing is recited before the mezuzah is affixed to the doorpost:

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam
Asher kidishanu b'mitz'votav v'tzivanu lik'bo'ah mezuzah.

Blessed are you, Lord, our G~d, sovereign of the universe
Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to affix a mezuzah

Every time one pass through a door with a mezuzah on it, one touch the mezuzah and then kiss the fingers that touched it, expressing love and respect for G~d and his mitzvot and reminding oneself of the mitzvot contained within them.

When a Jewish family moves, and a non-Jewish family moves into the home, the mezuzah should be removed. If a Jewish family moves into the home, then the mezuzah may remain on the doorpost.