The Jewish Mezuza

Mezuzah (literally "doorpost"; pl. mezuzot) refers to one of the 613 commandments in Judaism, which requires that a small parchment (klaf) inscribed with two sections from the Torah's Book of Deuteronomy (6:4-9 and 11:13-21) be affixed to each doorpost and
gate in a Jewish home, synagogue, and business. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 are two
of four passages used in Teffilin. Thus the word mezuzah can refer to any of the following:
1. Simply a doorpost of a permanent door, gate, or arch.
2. The special parchment with the required Hebrew inscriptions.
3. The small case or box that typically covers the parchment.
(The parchment can be affixed directly to the door,
though usually a case is used in order to protect it.
It is important to be aware, though, that a case without a valid Mezuzah scroll
inside cannot be used to fulfill this mitzvah.) The case generally features the
Hebrew letter shin (ù) inscribed on its upper exterior.
are often given as gifts for and other special occasions.

A mezuzah case or box

Halakha (Jewish law) prescribes in detail the affixing of mezuzot on doorposts. Since almost every Jewish home has a mezuzah on its front doorpost, it has historically been a way of recognizing a Jewish home. The wording on the mezuzah\'s parchment is taken from the Shema Yisrael ("Hear O Israel") prayer, similar to the parchments inside Tefillin (phylacteries

According to Halakha, the Mezuzah should be placed on the right side of the door
(from the point of view of one entering the building or room), on the lower part of the
upper third of the doorpost (or, for high doorways, around shoulder height),
within approximately 3 inches of the doorway opening. A minority opinion is that
the mezuzah should be affixed on the side opposite of the hinge. In either case,
Halakha requires that mezuzot be affixed within 30 days of the Jewish resident or
residents moving into the home if its rented and in the Diaspora (i.e. outside Israel).
If the home, however, is purchased in the Diaspora or is located in Israel
(regardless of it is owned or rented) the mezuzah must be affixed immediately upon
moving in. The case should be permanently affixed with nails, screws, glue,
or strong double-sided tape. Great caution should be exerted not to puncture, rip,
or crack the parchment or the wording on it, since this would invalidate the mezuzah
entirely.

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