And you shall write [the words that I command you today] on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. -Deuteronomy 6:9, 11:19 On the doorposts of many Jewish homes, you will find a mezuzah. The word mezuzah actually is Hebrew for “doorpost”. The mezuzah is a constant reminder of God’s presence.
What’s inside the Mezuzah?
In the book of Deuteronomy (Dvarim). 6:4-9, God commands the Jewish people to keep His words constantly in our minds and in our hearts by (among other things) writing them on the doorposts of our house. These words are part of the most important prayer called Shema Yisrael. The complete text of Shma Yisrael is written on a tiny scroll of parchment and placed inside the Mezuzah. On the back of the scroll is written one of the names of God. The parchment is then rolled up and placed in the mezuzah case, so that the first letter of God’s name (the letter Shin) is visible. The scroll must be handwritten in the same style of writing that one uses to write a Torah. This writing is called “Stam”.
Fixing the Mezuzah
The case and scroll are then nailed or affixed at an angle to the right side doorpost as you enter the building or room, with a small ceremony called Chanukkat Ha-Bayit. A brief blessing is recited.
Kissing the Mezuzah
Every time you pass through a door with a mezuzah on it, you touch the mezuzah and then kiss the fingers that touched it, expressing love and respect for G-d and his mitzvot and reminding yourself of the mitzvot contained within them.