How to Affix a Mezzuzah
A mezzuzah (מזוזה in Hebrew) is a sign of welcoming found in many Jewish homes. The mezzuzah itself is a small, rolled up piece of parchment with the words to the Jewish prayer "Shemah" printed upon it. It is encased in a decorative mezzuzah frame, usually made from wood, metal, glass, or ceramic. In the Torah, God commands the Jews to "inscribe [the words of the Shema] on the doorposts of your house and upon your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:9). Many Jews will therefore affix mezzuzot to their front doors, or for more observant Jews, to the doorframes of every room in the home. It is customary touch the mezzuzah with your fingertips and kiss them when entering the house or room to show reverence to God. Learn how to properly affix a mezzuzah to your doorway.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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Mezzuzot can be affixed to the doorways leading to any room in a house that is more that 6 1/2 by 6 1/2 feet wide, except for bathrooms, showers, or similar places. In addition to the doorways leading into your house, examples of acceptable rooms include bedrooms, living rooms, kitchen and garages.
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Once you choose a room, assess your height in relationship to the doorframe. The mezzuzah should be affixed on the right side, somewhere in the upper third of the doorframe, which is about shoulder-height for the average person.
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Before affixing the mezzuzah, recite the following prayer: "Baruch Ata A-do-nai Elo-heinu Melech Haolam asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu likboa mezzuza." Translation: "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to affix a mezzuzah." If you are affixing mezzuzot to more than one doorway, the prayer only needs to be said once, though you should refrain from speaking until all mezzuzot are affixed to avoid interrupting the prayer.
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Mezzuzot should be affixed in a permanent way, so choose to screw or superglue it onto your doorpost versus using scotch tape or sticky tack. If you are using glue, apply if to the back of the mezzuzah case and press the case to your doorframe diagonally with the top of the mezzuzah (often marked with the Hebrew letter shin (ש) pointing into the room). Hold as directed with your particular brand of superglue or tape.
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Mezzuzot like this one often have holes where you can screw or nail them into the doorframe.
If you plan to nail or screw your mezzuzah into your doorframe, find a comfortable place in the upper third of your door frame and place your mezzuzah diagonally with the top facing into the room. Many mezzuzah cases are marked at the top with the Hebrew letter shin (ש), which stands for Shaddai, one of the many Hebrew names for God. Often cases feature small holes at the top and bottom where you can hammer or screw the mezzuzah in.
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Tips & Warnings
Wrapping the scroll in plastic wrap before placing it in the case will protect it from inclement weather.
Jewish law requires that mezzuzot be affixed immediately upon moving in to your home. However, if you are renting and live outside Israel, you have 30 days to affix your mezzuzah.
Be careful not to tear or damage the parchment or smudge the wording on it, as this will invalidate the mezzuzah.
A valid mezzuzah has words that are handwritten on the parchment by a qualified scribe. Avoid Judaica vendors who sell photocopied prayers with their mezzuzah cases.
