Mezuzzot
A mezuzah is a small box that is placed on the right doorpost of Jewish homes. Inside the box is a parchment scroll with verses from the Torah inscribed on it, including the Shema prayer (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21). The concept of a mezuzah comes from the Torah, where we read, “And you shall inscribe them on the doorposts (mezuzot) of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:9, 11:20).
The box that holds the scroll can be decorated in a variety of ways, and often has a Hebrew letter shin on it, which is the first letter of one of G-d's names. The mezuzah provides special protection over the residents of the home where it hangs, and when they pass by a mezuzah, many have the custom of kissing it (usually touching the mezuzah with their hand, then kissing their hand). From MyJewishLearning.com http://www.myjewishlearning.com/life/Life_Stages/Building_a_Jewish_Home/Mezuzah.shtml |
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