Things You'll Need:
- Mezuzah parchment(s)
- Mezuzah case(s)
- Nail, glue, or double sided tape
- Kippah(optional)
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Step 1
A Mezuzah case is used to protect the mezuzah parchment from being damaged.A mezuzah is mainly a parchment of a portion of deuteronomy commonly known as the Shema. A mezuzah parchment is kept in a mezuzah case to protect it from the elements of the earth(rain, snow, heat etc). Affixing a Mezuzah is following the Torah commandment "And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates." as seen on Deuteronomy 6:9.
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Step 2
Buy soft colors for your mezuzah cases. This will look alot better on your doorpost.Purchasing a Mezuzah case is the easiest part of the purchasing process. Mainly buying a heavy duty mezuzah case is preferable. If you live in an apartment building, the self stick mezuzah cases are best to buy. But if one can't be found, then any mezuzah case is ok for an apartment building, but go for double sided tape rather than nailing the mezuzah to the wall or gluing it. Also take the doorpost into consideration. Many won't buy a pink mezuzah for a blue doorpost. Buying a soft color mezuzah is best like grays, blacks, whites, and golds as well as silvers. Many also buy multiple mezuzahs for different doorposts in the home. Take into consideration that for every mezuzah case you buy, you will have to put a mezuzah parchment with it. Depending on the size of your home and the number of doorposts(excluding the bathrooms), many could be paying hundreds of dollars worth of parchments. So if money is an issue, then buy one for the front entrance, that will still observe the Torah commandment.
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Step 3
Buying the parchment is the important part of the mezuzah purchasing process.Now that you have the mezuzah case(s). Its now time for the important part, buying the parchment. Its recommended to buy such an item in person. I personally recommend going to your Synagogue book store to purchase while also looking around for better deals. If you buy outside of a Synagogue at a book store etc, then try bringing a Rabbi or someone knowledgeable on the subject along when purchasing. They will most likely inspect the product and make sure its kosher and legit. Mezuzah parchment usually runs for $20-$40 for the most basic to $50-$100. In reality, the $20 kosher parchment isn't different from the $100 that much so buy the parchment that is still a great deal but not a fake or printed one. If you buy online, buy from a site that has a return policy so that you can have a Rabbi inspect the product and if its not kosher, you can return it for a full refund.
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Step 4
Affixing a Mezuzah should be done within 30 days of moving into a rented home or apartment and immediately when moving into a house.After you have brought the mezuzah case(s) and parchment(s). Its now time to affix the mezuzah. Affixing takes only a few minutes and is great for a Jewish home(observant or secular). Try having all in the household over to witness the affixing. If your just moving into the home, apartments are required to have the mezuzah affixed in 30 days of moving in. Homes are required to have it affixed immediately when moving in.
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Step 5
Roll the Mezuzah parchment from the left side of the parchment toward the right.First one should get the case and parchment. Roll up the parchment from the left end rolling toward the right(rolling toward the word "shema". Then insert the mezuzah into its case.
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Step 6
We recite the blessing right before affixing the mezuzah.Add the glue or tape you will use to affix the mezuzah. If you are affixing with a nail, then you may proceed to saying the blessing now. After adding the glue or tape needed, say the following blessing:
Hebrew:
Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech haolam asher kideshanu b’mitzvotav vetzivanu likboah mezuzah
English:
Blessed are You, G-d, our G-d, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His mitzvot, and commanded us to affix the mezuzah.
After saying the blessing, attach the mezuzah to the doorpost. It should be on the right side of the doorpost as one enters and the left side when one exits. It should be one hand length from the top of the doorpost and should be slanted toward the home if your Ashkenazim(Eastern European) origin or vertical if your Sephardi(Spanish or Portuguese) or Mizrahi(African, Middle Eastern or Oriental) origin. -
Step 7
Congratulations. You have affixed the mezuzah. Make sure the mezuzah is checked every two years to make sure its still kosher and valid. A Rabbi usually checks this.
