When is a Doorpost Not Just a Doorpost?
By Rabbi Jason Miller
It is perhaps the most common Jewish ritual object prominently displayed in the Jewish home. In fact, we often notice the mezuzah before we even enter our friends’ and neighbors’ homes. And many non-Jews are also aware of the mezuzah; in fact, some non-Jews even hang mezuzot on their homes hoping to ward off evil spirits and protect their abode. But what is the history of the mezuzah? Why do we affix it to our doorposts? What is the proper way to hang it?
The Hebrew word “mezuzah” literally means doorpost; not the beautiful container that we hang today. We are commanded in the Torah to “write (these words) on the doorposts [mezuzot] of your house and on your gates.” These words refer to the words of the “Shema,” which we say twice daily to remind ourselves of God’s oneness, love for us, and to perform the mitzvot (commandments). By following these words and affixing these words to our doorposts, we will be made aware of God’s presence and power each time we arrive or depart from our homes.
It is easy to understand that there were communities who took these words literally and actually inscribed them on their doorposts. Indeed, there are still buildings in
Nablus
(formerly Sh’chem) owned by Samaritans, where the writing is actually carved on the stones of the doorposts. However, the rabbis of the Talmud understood from an analogy between the writing of the words of the Shema on mezuzot and other commands to write in the Torah that the implication is for us to write these words upon a scroll. The ancient custom was to truly hollow out a section of the doorpost and insert the inscribed words of the Shema. Today, the term mezuzah has come to mean the container that holds the scroll and is affixed to the doorpost.
The sacred words of the first and second paragraph of the Shema, which include the mitzvah of mezuzah, are inscribed on klaf (parchment made of animal hide) by a sofer (an experienced scribe). An unkosher mezuzah is one that was not written properly by a sofer or not written on klaf. Mezuzot that contain printed copies of the text are not considered kosher or in fulfillment of the mitzvah either, and should be replaced with a kosher parchment.
Early in Jewish history, a debate occurred between the rabbis as to how the mezuzah should be hung on the doorpost. The school of one rabbi argued for a vertical hanging, while the followers of another rabbi opted for a horizontal hanging. Serving as inspiration for our Jewish community today, the two groups sought a compromise and instructed that mezuzot be affixed to the upper third of the doorpost at an angle, as is our custom to this day. The top of the mezuzah should face into the room. All rooms of the house require a mezuzah, with the exception of bathrooms, laundry rooms, and closets. There is no requirement to affix a mezuzah to the doors of synagogue, as it is not a home. However, if the synagogue serves as a home for the rabbi’s family or anyone else, then it should be treated as a home and mezuzot should be hung on its doorposts. Many synagogues opt to display mezuzot on their doors anyway as an additional sign of God’s presence within.
Today, many Jews choose to display beautiful, colorful, and creative mezuzot designed by professional artists. This is an example of hiddur mitzvah, adding beauty to the performance of one of God’s commandments. When a Jew moves into a new home, he or she is expected to affix mezuzot immediately, or at least within the first thirty days. If it is a temporary home, like a dorm room or hotel, a mezuzah is not necessary.
As more Jews add new ritual into their lives, the Chanukat Habayit ceremony has become more common. A Chanukat Habayit, literally the dedication of the house, is a housewarming party in which friends and family are invited to share in the mitzvah of hanging mezuzot in the new home. If one sells their home to non-Jews, it is a custom to leave the mezuzot on the doors for the new residents, although ornate mezuzot may be replaced with less expensive ones.
Many Jews touch the mezuzah with their fingertips and kiss them as they pass through an entryway. This is a minhag, custom, performed to show their love of God and the mitzvot. For this reason, some synagogues have adopted the practice of hanging mezuzot lower than the top third of the doorpost so they are accessible to small children and wheelchair-bound congregants. This is certainly advisable so that all Jews can be reminded of God’s presence when entering or exiting.
Mezuzot should be viewed not with superstition, but with the understanding that they serve as a reminder for the Jewish community. On the front of most mezuzot is the Hebrew letter “shin,” standing for Shaddai – one of the many names of God. When we see a mezuzah, it should immediately provide us with the realization that God is a part of our daily lives and there to be discovered. We should be reminded of God’s oneness and power; and from the words of the Shema, inscribed on the mezuzah, we should recall with gratitude God’s love for us, as expressed through the gift of the Torah and mitzvot. When we enter our house, we see the mezuzah and remember how we should act in our own home. Similarly, when we leave our home, we are reminded by the symbol of the mezuzah that we should act justly and with a sense of God’s presence wherever we go. When we see a mezuzah, we at once understand when a doorpost is not just a doorpost.
The blessing for putting up a mezuzah is Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh Ha'olam, Asher Kidishanu B’mitzvotav V’tzivanu Likbo’ah Mezuzah. “Blessed our You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has instructed us to affix a mezuzah.”
