Q: Dear Rabbi,

I just bought a house and would like to put up a mezuzah - what is the right procedure for this - what angle do I put it at and could you tell me the meaning behind the mezuzah?

Thanks, Doug H.

A: Dear Doug,

Mazal tov on your new house! May you have many years of health and contentment in it. Putting a Mezzuzah up on your new home is a great way of making that new house into a Jewish home. The Mezzuzah is the fulfillment of a Mitzvah found in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4-9. In that passage, we are commanded to keep God's words constantly in our minds and in our hearts, by (among other things) writing them on the doorposts of our houses and upon our gates. This commandment has traditionally been fulfilled by writing the words of this passage (including the words of the Shema, the central statement of belief in God's unity) on a tiny scroll of parchment (made from the skin of a kosher animal), along with the words of a companion passage, Deut. 11:13-21. On the back of the scroll, the Hebrew word Shadai is written, which is a name of God that indicates God's strength and protection. The scroll is then rolled up and placed in a case, which usually has the letter Shin on it, the first letter of Shadai.

The word Mezzuzah simply means "doorpost". The case and scroll are affixed to the right side doorpost (facing in). The Mezzuzah is set on an angle, with the top leaning in. It is not clear why this tradition developed, but the explanation I always liked best was that this angle will cause all the evil to flow out of the house. Despite this explanation, the Mezzuzah should not be considered a good-luck charm, nor is it believed to have any connection with the lamb's blood placed on the doorposts during the Israelites exodus from Egypt. Rather, it is seen as a constant reminder in our comings and goings of God's presence and the fulfillment of the commandments.

The Mezzuzah is affixed with a small ceremony called Chanukkat Ha-Bayit - "dedication of the house". The following blessing should be said before placing the Mezzuzah on the front (main) entrance door:

Barukh Attah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh Ha-olam, Asher Kid'shanu B'mitzvotav, V'tzivanu Leek'boa Mezzuzah.

Blessed are you, our Eternal God, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us with the commandments and commanded us to affix a Mezzuzah.

After the Mezzuzah is fastened in place, another blessing, the Shehecheyanu is said. This blessing is said at all occasions of of joy and newness:

Barukh Attah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh Ha-olam, Shehecheyanu, V'ki-y'manu, V'higianu, La-z'man Hazeh.

Blessed are you, our Eternal God, Ruler of the universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.

After the Mezzuzah has been set on the main entrance, you can affix Mezzuzot to any other rooms in the house you wish. No further blessings are required for subsequent rooms.

Many Jews, when they pass through a door with a Mezzuzah on it, will touch the Mezzuzah and then kiss the fingers that touched it. By this action, they express love and respect for God and the commandments.

The Mezzuzah should be checked periodically (traditionally twice in seven years) to make sure the parchment is still intact and the writing legible. Otherwise it is not considered to be "kosher."

L'Shalom,

JDC

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