Is the mezuzah on your door actually kosher? The commandment is fulfilled by the handwritten parchment scroll inside the case. To choose a mezuzah, buy a kosher scroll written by a trained scribe first, then pick a case that fits that scroll and suits your door.
Many buyers focus on the case design and forget the scroll. A beautiful case that is empty, or that holds a printed copy, does not fulfill the mitzvah.
What is the difference between a mezuzah case and a mezuzah scroll?
The scroll, called a klaf in Hebrew, is a small piece of parchment with two passages from Deuteronomy. These are the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4 to 9) and Vehaya (Deuteronomy 11:13 to 21). Both passages contain the command to write God's words on the doorposts of your house.
The case protects the scroll. It can be made of metal, wood, glass, stone or plastic. Jewish law sets no rule for the design of the case, so you can choose any style that closes properly and keeps the scroll dry.
Many cases sold online are sold without a scroll. Read the product description carefully. If it does not say that a kosher scroll is included, assume you need to buy one separately.
What makes a mezuzah scroll kosher?
A kosher scroll must meet specific requirements of Jewish law. Use this checklist before you buy one.
- It is written by hand by a sofer, a trained and observant scribe, using a quill and special black ink.
- It is written on klaf, parchment made from the hide of a kosher animal.
- Every letter is complete and correctly formed. A single missing or touching letter can make the scroll invalid.
- It is written in the correct order. A letter that was skipped cannot be added afterward.
- It has been checked by a second qualified examiner, and many sellers also run a computer check.
- The seller can tell you who wrote or checked it, often with a certificate.
Printed and photocopied scrolls are not kosher. An unusually cheap scroll is a warning sign, because each kosher scroll requires a skilled scribe writing every letter by hand. A kosher scroll often costs more than a simple decorative case.
What size mezuzah scroll and case should I buy?
Scrolls come in standard lengths. The most common sizes are about 7 cm, 10 cm, 12 cm and 15 cm. The 10 cm and 12 cm sizes are popular for front doors, while smaller scrolls suit narrow frames and interior doors.
Buy the scroll first and then match the case to it. Measure the inside length of the case, because the outside measurement includes the frame. The rolled scroll should sit inside fully without being bent or crushed.
Which mezuzah case is best for an outdoor door?
An exterior door is exposed to rain and strong sun. For outdoor use, choose a sturdy metal case or a sealed case with a tight back or end cap. Avoid unsealed wood and fragile materials on an outside door.
Wrap the scroll in a small piece of plastic wrap before you place it in the case. This protects the ink from moisture.
How and where do you hang a mezuzah?
- Roll the scroll from the end of the text toward the beginning, so the first word, Shema, faces outward when it is rolled.
- Place it on the right doorpost as you enter the house or the room.
- Fix it at the start of the upper third of the doorpost. Ideally it should sit at least a handbreadth below the top of the frame.
- Ashkenazi custom is to hang it at a slant, with the top pointing into the room. Sephardi custom is to hang it vertically.
- Say the blessing just before you attach it: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu likboa mezuzah.
- Attach it firmly with screws or strong double sided tape.
A mezuzah goes on every doorway in the home that leads into a room used for living, such as bedrooms and the kitchen. Bathrooms and very small closets do not get one.
One blessing covers several mezuzot if you put them up one after another without interruption. If you are unsure about a door, ask a local rabbi.
When should a mezuzah scroll be checked?
Jewish law calls for the scrolls in a private home to be checked twice every seven years. Over time ink can crack or fade, and moisture can damage the parchment. A qualified sofer can examine the scroll and tell you if it is still kosher.
Many families have their scrolls checked during the Hebrew month of Elul, before Rosh Hashanah. Have a scroll checked sooner if the case was exposed to heavy rain or if the scroll got wet.
Which mezuzah cases can you buy at The Israel Store?
The Israel Store carries decorative mezuzah cases with Jewish and Jerusalem designs. The product descriptions below cover the case only. None of these listings state that a scroll is included, so plan to add a kosher scroll from a certified scribe.
- Mezuzah with Shema Yisrael and Torah Scroll Design, $11.50. Made of high quality metal, it measures 11.5 cm by 4.5 cm and is shaped like an open Torah with the Shema engraved in Hebrew.
- Elegant Mezuzah with Star of David, $15.50. This 9 cm case has a Star of David at the center with detailed engravings.
- Mezuzah with Menorah and Priestly Breastplate Design, $9.50. This 9 cm case shows a menorah, the letter Shin and twelve colorful stones for the twelve tribes of Israel. It makes a colorful housewarming gift.
- Mezuzah with Western Wall Design and Letter Shin, $9.50. This 9 cm case carries a Western Wall design with the letter Shin. It suits anyone with a strong connection to Jerusalem.
- Mezuzah with Shaddai Inscription and Jerusalem Design, $9.50. This 9 cm case is engraved with the name Shaddai above a Jerusalem cityscape.
Before you order a scroll for a 9 cm case, confirm with the scroll seller that it will fit.
Orders from The Israel Store are processed in 1 to 3 business days. US delivery usually takes 5 to 10 business days. International delivery takes 7 to 21 business days. Returns are accepted within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a mezuzah case come with a scroll?
Often it does not. Many cases, including the decorative cases listed above, are sold without a scroll. Buy a hand written kosher scroll separately unless the listing clearly states that one is included.
Can I hang a mezuzah case without a scroll?
An empty case is decorative only and does not fulfill the commandment. The blessing is said only when you hang a kosher scroll.
Which side of the door does a mezuzah go on?
It goes on the right doorpost as you walk into the house or room. Place it at the start of the upper third of the doorpost.
Why do Ashkenazim hang the mezuzah at a slant?
Rashi held that the mezuzah should be vertical and Rabbeinu Tam held that it should be horizontal. Ashkenazi custom follows the Rema, who recommended a slant to satisfy both views. Sephardim follow the Shulchan Aruch and hang it vertically.
How often should a mezuzah scroll be checked?
Scrolls in a private home should be checked by a qualified scribe twice every seven years. Check sooner if the scroll got wet or the case was damaged.
Choose the scroll with care, then choose a case that protects it and fits your door. You can compare designs and prices in the full mezuzah collection at The Israel Store. To learn the meaning behind this commandment, read why Jews put a mezuzah on their doors.
