Mezuzah

Mezuzah

Mezuzah at the entrance to POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews; the mezuzah parchment is inside a red decorative case
Halakhic texts relating to this article
Torah:	Deuteronomy 6:9 and Deuteronomy 11:20
Mishnah:	Menachot 3:7
Babylonian Talmud:	Shabbat 32a, Yoma 11a, Menachot 33a,
Mishneh Torah:	Tefillin, Mezuzah, veSefer Torah ch. 5–6
Shulchan Aruch:	Yoreh De'ah 285–291

A mezuzah (Hebrew: מְזוּזָה "doorpost"; plural: מְזוּזוֹת‎ mezuzot) is a piece of parchment inscribed with specific Hebrew verses from the Torah, which Jews fix to the doorposts of their homes.^[1] These verses are the Biblical passages in which the use of a mezuzah is commanded (Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 11:13–21); they also form part of the Shema prayer.

According to traditional Jewish law, a mezuzah must be placed on every post-and-lintel entrance to a residence, courtyard, or city.^[2] Since the time of Meir of Rothenburg (c. 1215-1293), religious Jews have increasingly also placed mezuzot on the entrances to non-residential buildings such as synagogues and offices, and on each internal doorway of the home or building, with the exception of bathrooms (where the name of God is forbidden) and small closets.^[3]

The klaf is prepared by a qualified scribe ("sofer stam") who has undergone training, both in studying the relevant religious laws, and in the more practical parts, i.e. carving the quill and practising writing. The verses are written in indelible black ink with a special quill pen made either from a feather or, now quite rare, a reed. The klaf is then rolled up and placed inside the case.