{"id":13726,"date":"2025-09-30T20:33:42","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T20:33:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/?p=13726"},"modified":"2025-12-02T16:53:44","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T16:53:44","slug":"mezuzah-part-3-what-is-a-mezuzah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/mezuzah-part-3-what-is-a-mezuzah\/","title":{"rendered":"Mezuzah Part 3: What, Who, How?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019ve talked about the mezuzah\u2019s power and meaning\u2014now let\u2019s dive into its laws and see what makes this mitzvah so special in practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Written Inside a Mezuzah?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A Mezuzah is a small parchment scroll that we have a mitzvah to attach to each doorway<\/a> in our home. Each mezuzah scroll has two paragraphs from the Torah written on it. The first one begins
with “Shema Yisrael” <\/em>and continues straight into the passage of “Ve’ahavata”<\/em>, and the second paragraph is “Vehaya im shamoa”<\/em>. These paragraphs discuss Hashem\u2019s presence and sovereignty over the world, and provides spiritual protection to the home1<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Writes The Mezuzah?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A mezuzah must be handwritten by a sofer<\/a> <\/em>(scribe) who has studied the extensive laws of mezuzah creation. The scribe must be a male Jew, over the age of bar mitzvah. Before writing, the sofer <\/em>declares, \u201cMy intent is to write for the sole purpose of creating a kosher mezuzah.\u201d The mezuzah must be written in Ktav Ashurit (Hebrew block print)2<\/sup> in one of three different styles: K\u2019tav Beit Yosef (used by most Ashkenazi Jews), K\u2019tav Arizal (used by Chassidic Jews), and K\u2019tav Vellish (used by Sephardic Jews). The letters \u05d2\u05e5 \u05e9\u05e2\u05d8\u05e0\u05d6 (shin, ayin, tes, nun, zayin, gimel and tzadi) need to be written with taggin <\/em>(crowns) on top of them3<\/sup>. Additionally, a mezuzah must be written on a single piece of parchment4<\/sup> – if it’s written on multiple pieces, the mezuzah remains not kosher, even if the pieces are sewn or glued together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mezuzah On a Doorframe <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every room owned or rented by a Jewish person that\u2019s used for living, working, or storage, needs a mezuzah on the doorpost, with a few exceptions. The room must measure at least 4×4 amot <\/em>(about 6 to 7.5 feet)5<\/sup>. Only doorways that lead to places used for clean and respectable purposes require a mezuzah, for example, a bathroom doorway does not get a mezuzah6<\/sup>. The doorway itself must have two doorposts and a crossbeam7<\/sup>, and the doorposts must be at least ten tefachim high (about 31-38 inches)8<\/sup> to require a mezuzah. If you rent an apartment or house outside Israel, some hold you can live in the apartment without a mezuzah for up to thirty days. In Israel, you need to put them up right away9<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Put Up a Mezuzah<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The mezuzah should be placed on the right doorpost when entering the room10<\/sup>. It should be in the upper third of the doorway\u2019s height11<\/sup>, but at least one tefach (about 3-4 inches) lower than the crossbeam12<\/sup>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is the Mezuzah Slanted?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a debate about whether the mezuzah should be placed vertically or horizontally. Sephardic custom follows the ruling that a mezuzah should be attached straight13<\/sup>. Ashkenazic custom is to follow the middle ground and attach it at a slant with the top pointing toward the inside of the room14<\/sup>. A mezuzah should be attached permanently, using nails, screws, glue or attached in a groove in the doorpost15<\/sup>. Mezuzahs should be put in protective cases before being attached to the doorpost16<\/sup>. The case can be made of different materials, but its main purpose is to keep the holy scroll safe from damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mezuzah Blessing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before putting up a mezuzah, a blessing is recited:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05da \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d3\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8-\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5-\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b6\u05dc\u05b6\u05da \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05e9\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e7\u05b0\u05d3\u05b4\u05e9\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d5\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e6\u05b4\u05d9\u05d5\u05d5\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05de\u05b0\u05d6\u05d5\u05bc\u05d6\u05b8\u05d4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBlessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re putting up several mezuzahs at once, say one blessing for all of them17<\/sup>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Puts Up the Mezuzah\u2014and When?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The requirements for this mitzvah apply equally to all Jewish men and women18<\/sup>, though it\u2019s preferable that it be done by someone over bar or bat mitzvah<\/a>19<\/sup>. If the property is rented, buying and installing the mezuzahs is the tenant\u2019s responsibility, not the landlord\u2019s20<\/sup>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private mezuzahs need to be taken down and checked by a sofer <\/em>(scribe) twice in seven years21<\/sup>, to make sure the text hasn\u2019t become cracked or faded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before installing and making a brachah <\/em>(blessing) on a mezuzah, consult a rabbi who is knowledgeable in these laws. There are many complex scenarios as well as cases in which there are different opinions of what is required. Some doorways require a mezuzah without a brachah<\/em>, while at other doorways it may be unclear which side the mezuzah should be hung on. So always ask first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can The Mezuzah Be Removed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Besides for regular checking, there are very few reasons to take down a mezuzah. In fact, it\u2019s generally forbidden to remove them and is even considered dangerous, since the mezuzah protects the home. Even when moving, if another Jewish person will be living there next, the mezuzahs should stay put. If the new resident has their own mezuzahs or if construction or painting is being done, they should ask a rabbi what to do. However, if you\u2019re moving out of a place owned by a non-Jewish person, or if a non Jewish person will be moving in after you, you should take the mezuzahs down to prevent them from being disrespected or destroyed22<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mitzvah Of Mezuzah<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The number one reason we do any mitzvah is because Hashem said so. However, the Rambam gives us some insight into the idea behind mezuzah. As mentioned above, the mezuzah contains two paragraphs from the Torah which talk about accepting Hashem as King and dedicating oneself to keeping the mitzvot. Every time we pass by a mezuzah, it’s an opportunity to remember Hashem. Many people have a custom of kissing the mezuzah<\/strong> by touching it and then kissing their fingertips as they pass through the doorway. It\u2019s as if the mezuzah is calling out, \u201cDon\u2019t forget about Hashem! Don\u2019t forget you\u2019re a Jew! Don\u2019t lose sight of what\u2019s important23<\/sup>!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perks Of The Mitzvah<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Besides the fulfillment of a mitzvah itself with heaping rewards in the world to come, keeping the mitzvah of mezuzah comes with many perks in this world as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. In the paragraph of Shema “Vehaya im shamoa24<\/sup>“, it says \u201cAnd you should write them on the doorposts of your houses and gates in order that you and your children should merit long life on the land that I promised to give to your fathers.\u201d
    This is a guarantee from the Torah that keeping the mitzvah of mezuzah lengthens one\u2019s life.<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. It\u2019s written in the Gemara (Talmud)25<\/sup> that in general, a Jew earns reward in Olam Haba (The World to Come) for doing a mitzvah, but we don\u2019t necessarily get rewarded in this world. The mitzvah of mezuzah is an exception – as Hashem promises that in addition to the heavenly reward we earn, our mezuzot (plural for mezuzah) will protect us from harm in this world. Now, you might be wondering: what about houses and people in those houses with mezuzot, who did have harm? What happened to the protection there?
    It\u2019s important to understand that Hashem\u2019s protection doesn\u2019t always come in the way we expect. Hardships are part of a bigger picture that we may not understand in this world and the reward for keeping mezuzah extends to both this world and the next. This means that while the physical protection might not always manifest in the way we envision, the mezuzah still serves as a powerful spiritual safeguard and the main reward may be reserved for Olam Haba (world to come).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. The Zohar writes26<\/sup> that a Jew is always accompanied by his yetzer hara<\/em> (evil inclination), whose job it is to try to persuade us to do aveirot<\/em> (sins), but when he enters through his doorway on which there\u2019s a mezuzah, the yetzer hara<\/em> is forced to protect the Jew from harm.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Read Mezuzah Part 1: The Best Security Guard<\/a> and Mezuzah Part 2: Its Profound Message<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Want to learn more about mitzvot? Join TorahMates today and learn from anywhere, with your own study partner!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Excerpted from Oorah’s Torah Nuggets<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mezuzah Part 3 – Sources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1<\/sup> ‘\u05de\u05e0\u05d7\u05d5\u05ea \u05dc\u05d2:, \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d9\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05d3\u05e2\u05d4 \u05e8\u05e4\u05d4, \u05e2\u05e8\u05d5\u05da \u05d4\u05e9\u05dc\u05d7\u05df \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d2’ ,\u05d1\u05df \u05d0\u05d9\u05e9 \u05d7\u05d9 \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05db\u05d9 \u05ea\u05d1\u05d0 \u05e9\u05e0\u05d4 \u05d1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2<\/sup> ‘\u05de\u05e9\u05e0\u05d4 \u05de\u05d2\u05d9\u05dc\u05d4 \u05d7: \u05d5\u05d1\u05e8\u05e9”\u05d9, \u05de\u05e1\u05db\u05ea \u05e1\u05d5\u05e4\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d8\u05d5, \u05e8\u05de\u05d1”\u05dd \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d5\u05ea \u05ea\u05e4\u05d9\u05dc\u05d9\u05df \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d0’ \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d8<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3<\/sup> \u05de\u05e0\u05d7\u05d5\u05ea \u05db\u05d8: \u05e8\u05de\u05d1”\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d4 \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d4 \u05d1’-\u05d2’, \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d5\u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05df \u05e8\u05e4\u05d7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4<\/sup> ‘\u05e8\u05de\u05d1\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d4’ \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d4 \u05d0’, \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e8\u05e4\u05d7, \u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d3’, \u05e2\u05e8\u05d5\u05da \u05d4\u05e9\u05dc\u05d7\u05df \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d5<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5<\/sup> According to Rav Chaim Naeh z\u201dl 4 x 4 amos is about 76 x 76 in. According to Rav Moshe Feinstein z\u201dl it\u2019s about 85 x 85 in. According to the Chazon Ish z\u201dl it\u2019s about 91 x 91 inches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    6<\/sup> ‘\u05d9\u05d5\u05de\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d0’, \u05e8\u05de\u05d1”\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d5 \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d4 \u05d8’, \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e8\u05e4\u05d5, \u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    7<\/sup> ‘\u05de\u05e0\u05d7\u05d5\u05ea \u05dc\u05d3, \u05e8\u05de\u05d1”\u05dd \u05e9\u05dd, \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e8\u05e4\u05d6, \u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    8<\/sup> ‘\u05e2\u05d9\u05e8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d9\u05df \u05d9\u05d0: \u05d9\u05d5\u05de\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d0: \u05e8\u05de\u05d1”\u05dd \u05e9\u05dd, \u05e8\u05de”\u05d0 \u05e8\u05e4\u05d6 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    9<\/sup> \u05de\u05e0\u05d7\u05d5\u05ea \u05de\u05d3, \u05e8\u05de\u05d1”\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d4’ \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d4 \u05d9’, \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e8\u05e4\u05d5, \u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05db\u05d1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    10<\/sup> ‘\u05de\u05e0\u05d7\u05d5\u05ea \u05dc\u05d3, \u05e8\u05de\u05d1”\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d5’ \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d1, \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e8\u05e4\u05d8, \u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    11<\/sup> ‘\u05de\u05e0\u05d7\u05d5\u05ea \u05dc\u05d2, \u05e8\u05de\u05d1”\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d5’ \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d1, \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e8\u05e4\u05d8, \u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    12<\/sup>,’\u05de\u05e0\u05d7\u05d5\u05ea \u05dc\u05d2, \u05e8\u05de\u05d1”\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d5’ \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d1, \u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e8\u05e4\u05d8 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d1
    ‘\u05e2\u05e8\u05d5\u05da \u05d4\u05e9\u05dc\u05d7\u05df \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d9, \u05e7\u05d9\u05e6\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05df \u05d9\u05d0 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    13<\/sup> ‘\u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05df \u05e8\u05e4\u05d8 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d5<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    14<\/sup> ‘\u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05df \u05e8\u05e4\u05d8 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d5<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    15<\/sup> ‘\u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e8\u05e4\u05d8 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    16<\/sup> ‘\u05d8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e8\u05e4\u05d8, \u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    17<\/sup> ‘\u05e8\u05de”\u05d0 \u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05df \u05e8\u05e4\u05d8 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    18<\/sup> \u05d1\u05e8\u05db\u05d5\u05ea \u05d9\u05d6: \u05db, \u05e8\u05de\u05d1”\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d4’ \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d4 \u05d9’, \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d5\u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e8\u05e6\u05d0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    19<\/sup> The Complete Mezuzah Guide pg. 80<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    20<\/sup> \u05d1\u05d1\u05d0 \u05de\u05e6\u05d9\u05e2\u05d0 \u05e7\u05d0: \u05e8\u05de\u05d1”\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d4’ \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d0, \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e8\u05e6\u05d0,
    ‘\u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    21<\/sup> ,\u05de\u05e1\u05db\u05ea \u05d9\u05d5\u05de\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d0, \u05e8\u05de\u05d1”\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d4 \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d4 \u05d8, \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e8\u05e6\u05d0
    ‘\u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    22<\/sup> ,\u05de\u05e1\u05db\u05ea \u05d1\u05d1\u05d0 \u05de\u05e6\u05d9\u05e2\u05d0 \u05e7\u05d1, \u05e8\u05de\u05d1”\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d4’ \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d0
    ‘\u05d8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05df \u05e8\u05e6\u05d0, \u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05d0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    23<\/sup> \u05e8\u05de\u05d1”\u05dd \u05d4\u05dc’ \u05ea\u05e4\u05d9\u05dc\u05d9\u05df \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d5’ \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d2, \u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d4\u05d7\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05da \u05de\u05e6\u05d5\u05d4
    \u05ea\u05db\u05d2, \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d9\u05d5”\u05d3 \u05e8\u05e4\u05d4, \u05e7\u05d9\u05e6\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e9\u05d5”\u05e2 \u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05df \u05d9\u05d0 \u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05db\u05d2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    24<\/sup> \u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05e2\u05e7\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d0 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05db-\u05db\u05d0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    25<\/sup> \u05d1”\u05d7 \u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05df \u05e8\u05e4\u05d4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    26<\/sup> Quoted by the Yesod V\u2019shoresh Hoavodah (\u05d8\u05d6 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d4\u05db\u05d5\u05dc\u05dc \u05e9\u05e2\u05e8)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    We\u2019ve talked about the mezuzah\u2019s power and meaning\u2014now let\u2019s dive into its laws and see what makes this mitzvah so special in practice. What is Written Inside a Mezuzah? 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