A mezuzah (Hebrew: מְזוּזָה "doorpost"; plural: מְזוּזוֹת mezuzot) is a piece of parchment (often contained in a decorative case) inscribed with specified Hebrew verses from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21). These verses comprise the Jewish prayer "Shema Yisrael", beginning with the phrase: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is One" A mezuzah is affixed to the doorframe in Jewish homes to fulfill the mitzvah (Biblical commandment) to inscribe the words of the Shema "on the doorposts of your house" (Deuteronomy 6:9). Some interpret Jewish law to require a mezuzah on every doorway in the home apart from bathrooms and closets too small to qualify as rooms.[1] The parchment is prepared by a qualified scribe (a "sofer stam") who has undergone many years of meticulous training, and the verses are written in black indelible ink with a special quill pen. The parchment is then rolled up and placed inside the case.~Thank You Wikipedia
So in fact, this all started with a Mezuzah cover..... I spent last evening trying to share knowledge with a New Jew on the Block, who was refusing to understand the words coming out of my mouth. She was very adamant that it was both a Menorah and hanging on the door post, but not a Mezuzah. It was about 4 inches tall, blue and had little yellow flames, was secured with screws at the top and bottom.
There is very little doubt in my mind that it looked any different, and while in fact it was shaped like a Menorah, it is, in real life a Mezuzah cover.
They come in a variety of shapes, though the sizes are all about the same. They can be fancy , or simple, depending on the materials used.
While a cover is relatively inexpensive, it's the scroll (Klaf) that goes inside that will cost you the money.
Tradition states that the Klaf must be inscribed on a certain paper, by a certain scribe, containing certain words, so that it is Kosher. And that, friends, costs the dollars!
There are some places you can also find the scroll on-line and print in the comfort of your own home.
A newer thing, and neater in my opinion, is to have a blank scroll that can be filled in with your own prayer, your wishes and hopes for your family, or can be signed with good wishes by the friends at the house warming/hanging party- you have 30 days to hang your Mezuzah on a new house!
Or, you can be like me and write out the verses on your door post in green washable marker. They are there, I know they are there, and can be easily erased when we go. ( leave a Mezuzah if the new family is Jewish, take it with if they are not)
This ancient symbol speaks to us of our need to live by the words of Adonai. We affix the mezuzah to the doorposts of this house with the hope that it will always remind us of our duties to one another as members of the Household of Israel. May the divine spirit fill this house--the spirit of love and kindness and consideration for all people.~http://www.reformjudaism.org/practice/prayers-blessings/hanging-mezuzah
While slightly rambling and only slightly nonsensical, I think those are the high points!
ps- and like all celebrations before, now it's time to eat!
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