Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does 'write them upon the door posts of thy house' mean?
A: This verse commands Jews to affix a mezuzah on the doorposts of their homes. A mezuzah is a small parchment scroll containing handwritten verses from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21), placed in a case and attached to the right doorpost of Jewish homes.
Q: Why is the mezuzah important in Judaism?
A: The mezuzah serves as a constant reminder of G-d's presence and our commitment to Torah values. The Rambam (Hilchot Mezuzah 6:13) teaches that when a person passes through a door with a mezuzah, they are reminded of G-d's unity and are inspired to fulfill mitzvot.
Q: What is the proper way to place a mezuzah?
A: According to halacha (Jewish law), the mezuzah is placed on the right doorpost as one enters, in the lower part of the upper third of the doorpost's height. It is affixed at a slant (with the top pointing inward), following the compromise between Rashi's and Rabbeinu Tam's opinions. A blessing is recited when affixing it.
Q: Which rooms in the house need a mezuzah?
A: The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 286) rules that all rooms used for dwelling purposes require a mezuzah, excluding bathrooms, small closets, and temporary structures. The mezuzah is placed on doorways that are at least 4 cubits (about 6 feet) wide and have doorposts.
Q: What can we learn from the mitzvah of mezuzah today?
A: The mezuzah teaches us to make our homes centers of Torah values. As Rashi explains (Deuteronomy 6:9), the mezuzah symbolizes that just as we encounter G-d's commandments when entering and leaving our homes, so too should our entire home life be permeated with Torah ideals and proper conduct.
The Mitzvah of Mezuzah
The verse (Devarim 6:9) commands the Jewish people to inscribe the words of the Shema on the doorposts of their homes and gates. This is the source for the mitzvah of mezuzah, a fundamental practice in Jewish life. Rashi explains that "וּכְתַבְתָּם" (and you shall write them) refers to the paragraphs of Shema (Devarim 6:4-9 and 11:13-21), which must be written on parchment and affixed to doorposts.
Halachic Requirements
According to Rambam (Hilchot Mezuzah 5:1), the mezuzah must be written by a sofer stam (a qualified scribe) on kosher parchment with special ink. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 285:1) elaborates that it must be written with proper intent for the sake of the mitzvah and must include all the words without errors.
Placement and Significance
The Talmud (Menachot 33b) discusses the proper placement of the mezuzah on the right side of the doorpost as one enters. The mezuzah serves as:
Spiritual Dimensions
The Zohar (Parshat Va'etchanan) teaches that the mezuzah guards the home from harmful forces. The Baal HaTurim notes that the word "בֵּיתֶךָ" (your house) has the same numerical value (442) as "זכור" (remember), hinting that the mezuzah helps us remember Hashem's unity and sovereignty.
Gates and Public Spaces
The inclusion of "וּבִשְׁעָרֶיךָ" (and upon your gates) teaches, according to the Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Mezuzah 6:1), that even public buildings and city gates require mezuzot when they function as dwellings. This emphasizes that Jewish identity should permeate both private and public spheres of life.