Designed Mezuzahs

Elegant wall Mezuzahs:

The mezuzahs on the Israel Gifts website are handmade, using quality materials to ensure long-lasting use. For direct and secure purchase at special sale prices! A Jewish door mezuzah is a sacred and prestigious item in Jewish homes. Steeped in tradition and religious significance, the mezuzah serves as a constant reminder of faith, protection, and blessings. In this article, we will examine the various aspects of a Jewish door mezuzah, including its design, materials, when to install a new mezuzah, and more.

The meaning of the mezuzah: The mezuzah has great religious and spiritual significance in the Jewish tradition. It is a small scroll containing the Shema, the most important Jewish prayer, written on parchment by a lay scribe. Placing a mezuzah on the doorpost of a Jewish home fulfills the biblical commandment to “engrave these words upon the doorposts of your house.” It serves as a constant reminder of one’s faith, of God’s presence, and as a symbol of divine protection. Sizes and shapes: Mezuzahs come in different sizes and shapes to fit different door frames and personal preferences. It is customary to purchase a mezuzah based on the size of the parchment. Mezuzah parchments come in many sizes (6,8,10,12,15, etc.). The most common sizes are 10 cm and 12 cm in length of parchment. Traditional mezuzahs are rectangular in shape, but there are also cylindrical and artistic variations available. When choosing a size, consider the proportions of the doorpost and the desired aesthetic appeal. Artistic materials and designs: Mezuzahs are made from a wide variety of materials, each with its own unique beauty and symbolism. Some popular materials include: Wood : Wooden mezuzahs offer a warm, traditional look. They can be carved, painted, or engraved with intricate designs, making them a timeless choice. Metal : Metal mezuzahs, such as those made of brass, silver, or pewter, provide a sleek and durable option. They can feature ornate engravings, embossed patterns, or be adorned with gemstones or enamel, adding an elegant touch. Glass : Glass mezuzahs are transparent and often decorated with vibrant colors or incorporated with artistic designs. They create a captivating interplay of light and offer a contemporary twist on the traditional mezuzah. Ceramic or Porcelain : Mezuzahs made of ceramic or porcelain can feature intricate hand-painted motifs, traditional patterns, or contemporary designs. They add a touch of elegance and delicacy to the doorpost. Gluing and positioning: The mezuzah should be affixed to the right side of the doorpost as you enter the room, at a slight angle with the top facing inward. Before affixing the mezuzah, the doorframe should be clean and free of dirt or debris. Some people choose to recite the blessing while affixing the mezuzah, further sanctifying the act. Mezuzah inspection and replacement: Over time, mezuzahs may wear out or become damaged due to weather conditions, age, or care. It is recommended that a certified scribe inspect the mezuzahs at least twice every seven years to ensure that the letters are still intact and legible. If the mezuzah is found to be illegible or in poor condition, it should be replaced as soon as possible to properly fulfill the mitzvah. Mezuzah for different spaces: In addition to the main entrance door, mezuzahs can be affixed to doorposts inside other rooms or spaces, such as bedrooms, living rooms, or offices. Some choose to place a mezuzah on every interior doorpost, while others focus on central living spaces. The decision of where to place a mezuzah inside the home is a personal one and may vary depending on personal custom and observance of mitzvot (mezuzahs are not placed at the entrance to toilets/bathrooms). The mezuzah as a gift: The Jewish door mezuzah carries deep symbolism and is often given as a meaningful gift for various occasions such as weddings, housewarmings, or office celebrations. When giving a mezuzah as a gift, consider the recipient's style and preferences, as well as the significance of the occasion. The order of placing a mezuzah and its blessings:

Before the blessing, prepare all the mezuzahs that you are going to hang in the house. Prepare everything you need, whether it's double-sided adhesive or a hammer and nail.

Once everything is ready, the blessing for setting up the mezuzah is recited and the process of setting them up begins.

Blessing for setting up a mezuzah

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and decreed to establish a mezuzah.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has given us life and sustained us and brought us to this time.

The place to place the mezuzah is at the beginning of the upper third of the right-hand doorframe as you enter the room/house. That is, the lower part of the mezuzah should be at the beginning of the upper third of the doorframe.

It is important to remember! After the blessing, one should not talk or engage in other things until all the mezuzot are finished.

The Mitzvah for Setting Up a Mezuzah

The commandment – ​​“And you shall write on the mezuzahs of your house and on your gates” requires us to place a mezuzah on every door. This refers to doors in residential homes. However, some are more strict than this and are careful to place a mezuzah on elevator doors, offices, workplaces, and so on.

It is forbidden and permissible to do: 1. When placing several mezuzahs together, one must recite a blessing over the first one (for example, the door of the house) and the rest are exempt.

2. If the mezuzah is placed in the opening space behind the door, in the same way as the mezuzah of the opening under the lintel, and only if it is behind the door, it is kosher. However, if it is placed on the wall of the house behind the door, it is invalid.

3. To determine where to place the mezuzah, measure the height of the doorway of the gate or house, divide the height into thirds, and place the mezuzah at the beginning of the upper third of the gate's height from bottom to top.

4. If the courtyard gate opening is very high, some say that it is permissible to place it in such a way that it is between his shoulders, and some say that it should always be placed at the beginning of the upper third. And so on. And even though if it is placed above his shoulders, he will not be able to place his hand on it when entering and exiting, as is customary, it should nevertheless be placed at the beginning of the upper third.

5. If he made a mistake and affixed the mezuzah with a blessing below the upper third, and after some time he realized that he had not done it properly, since even just a part of it is invalid, he must remove it and go back and affix it at the beginning of the upper third. And he must recite the blessing Akab and affix the mezuzah.

6. It should be placed on the right side of the person entering the house, and as Chazal required and wrote on the mezuzahs, "Your house," the path of your entry, and when a person removes his feet to walk, the right foot is removed first, and one follows the right of each person. If he made a mistake and placed the mezuzah on the left side of the doorway with the blessing, and after a while he learns the ruling that this is invalid and is considered as if he had not placed the mezuzah at all, he should remove it from the left side and place it on the right side. He should repeat the blessing: "Who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to place the mezuzah," regarding its placement on the right side.

7. Even though we wrote that the place to fix the mezuzah is at the beginning of the upper third (from the bottom up), if it is placed higher up, if there is a hassle to remove it in order to fix it at the beginning of the upper third, there is no need to bother with it, because everything that is done is considered as a duty, and there is no need to bother with removing it in order to fix it at the beginning of the upper third, which is only at the beginning, especially since there are poskim who allow this even at the beginning. And in any case, if he bothers and removes it and fixes it at the beginning of the upper third, a blessing will come upon him. And all this on the condition that the mezuzah is far from the upper lintel by a taf. But if it is placed within the taf close to the lintel, it must be removed and returned to fixing it when it is far from the lintel by a taf. And even if only the upper part of the mezuzah is placed within the taf close to the lintel, it must be removed and placed in its entirety when it is a taf away from the lintel. But he will not recite a blessing.

8. When one has a room within a room, the mezuzah should be set to the right of the entrance to the inner room. If there is also an exit from the inner room to the outside, the mezuzah should be set to the right of the person entering the room that has a hinge mark. That is, it is set in the place made by the hole in the threshold where the door hinge rotates and the doors are placed there. And on the right path that one enters, the mezuzah is set there.

9. If there is no room to place the mezuzah in the doorway, it should not be placed on the wall near the doorway, or behind the door. Therefore, when constructing the doorway, one must be careful to leave space for the mezuzah to be placed in the doorway. If there is no space left, in any case, one should not recite the blessing when it is not in the doorway.

10. A mezuzah that cannot be fixed to the doorway with nails because the doorway is made of iron, may be affixed with strong glue in such a way that it will stand firmly for many days, since it has finally been connected with a complete connection. However, if the mezuzah is hung on a stick in such a way that it wobbles here and there, it is invalid, and must be fixed with nails, or with strong glue, or it must be dug into the Western Wall and fixed there by plastering it with mortar and lime, and only a "shedi" will be visible from it, visible to those who enter and those who leave.

12. It is simple and clear that mezuzahs made by printing and photography are not kosher at all, and since there are many such mezuzahs on the open market in the world, it is therefore a mitzvah to advertise to the general public that they should purchase mezuzahs only from God-fearing scholars, qualified scribes.

13. A mezuzah written in Ashkenazi script is also kosher for Sephardim, and vice versa. And in any case, it is better for the Sephardic tenant to take a mezuzah written in Sephardic script, and the Ashkenazi to take a mezuzah written in Ashkenazi script, according to the custom of their ancestors. And if a Sephardic tenant replaces the mezuzahs of his apartment that he has entered into a new life with other, more elegant mezuzahs, and likewise if a Sephardic tenant replaces the mezuzahs that were in his apartment in Ashkenazi script with mezuzahs written in Sephardic script, as is appropriate for a mitzvah of the highest order, then he should recite a blessing for that.

14. One who enters a new apartment that has mezuzahs should remove himself from all doubt and take the mezuzahs that are there to examine them, and re-attach them with a blessing. It is also appropriate to do this if one is distracted.

15. The tenant of a house belonging to a non-Jew is obligated to have a mezuzah, and in the Land of Israel the obligation is immediate, but outside the Land the obligation is after thirty days, according to the explanation above.

16. A person who removed the mezuzah from the door of his house and gave it to a scribe to examine and correct it, and it was found to be kosher, when he returns to affix it to the door of his house, he repeats the blessing to affix the mezuzah.

17. If the person removed the mezuzah to replace it with a more beautiful mezuzah, and returns to its place, he does not need to recite a blessing, unless he kept it in his hand for many hours until his mind was distracted by it, in which case he needs to recite a blessing before he places it.

18. If the mezuzah falls off the door mezuzah by itself and returns to its place, it is debatable whether one should recite a blessing over it when it is placed again, and it is doubtful whether blessings are more lenient.

Summary: The Jewish door mezuzah represents a connection to faith, protection, and blessings in Jewish homes. Its varied sizes, materials, and artistic designs allow for personal expression and customization. The affixing and care of a mezuzah is an essential practice in Jewish tradition, ensuring the fulfillment of the mitzvah and the presence of God within the home. Whether it is a traditional wooden mezuzah or a contemporary glass creation, the mezuzah serves as a constant reminder of the sacred and enduring traditions of Judaism.