In Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:9, HaShem commands us, "And write them on the doorposts of your house and upon your gates." This mitzvah is repeated in 11:20.
A mezuzah is made from parchment from a kosher species of animal. A sofer (scribe) writes two paragraphs from the Torah upon this parchment, Devarim 6:4-9 and Devarim 11:13-21. These two sections also make up the first two paragraphs of the Shema, a prayer which Jews say daily. The writing must be done in a very special way. Any mistakes make the mezuzah invalid.
Once the mezuzah is written, it is rolled from left to right. It is then placed in a protective case.
A mezuzah must, with some exceptions, be affixed upon all the doorways within one's domain. The mezuzah is placed on the upper third (but at least four inches from the top of the door) of the doorpost to the right of someone entering the room. Some Jews affix the mezuzah at a slant, with the top of the mezuzah angled towards the room, others affix it vertically. One should follow the practice of one's family.
Mezuzos are not required for the following: bathrooms, bath houses and mikvaos, trapdoors, very small rooms, and most closets. In addition, certain doorways require mezuzos but do not require the blessing.
Important:Though the rules for the mitzvah of mezuzah are simple in principle, their application can sometimes be surprisingly complex. A large number of factors can influence whether a door requires a mezuzah, which side the mezuzah is to be placed upon, and whether one may make the blessing on affixing the mezuzah. Many of these factors would not even occur to someone who is not knowledgeable in these laws. This essay only covers the basic outline of what the mitzvah is, not all the necessary knowledge to put it into application. One should consult a rabbi about the practical application of these laws.
When affixing the mezuzah we make the brocha (blessing),"Baruch atoh HaShem … asher kideshanu b'mitzvosav ve'tzivanu likvoa mezuzah" (Blessed are You HaShem …Who made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to affix the mezuzah"). It must be affixed in a permanent manner. The person affixing the mezuzah should be over the age of bar or bas mitzvah.
A mezuzah must be written in a very specific way. As time passes, it sometimes happens that the mezuzah will become damaged. Even a tiny crack in a letter can invalidate the mezuzah. Therefore, the proper practice is to have one's mezuzos checked twice every seven years. This checking should be done by a qualified sofer (scribe).
The Torah tells us in Devarim 11:20-21 that the reward for keeping the mitzvah of mezuzah is long life for us and our children. In addition, we are taught that the mitzvah of mezuzah guards one's home from harm.
Due to the holiness of the mezuzah and because the mezuzah represents our commitment to HaShem, the custom is to kiss the mezuzah whenever passing through a doorway.
© Eliezer C. Abrahamson
