Mezuzah in Jewish Culture the Essay

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There are other specific requirements for the creation of the mezuzah's parchment for it to qualify under orthodox standards: for example, the use of regular paper is prohibited, the biblical text must be written by hand and with a quill pen, in black indelible ink, among other things.

Common Contemporary Use

Generally, orthodox and other very observant Jews also affix a mezuzah on the inner doorframes of the rooms and hallways of their homes except for bathrooms and closets. Conservative Jews may either place a mezuzah on all of their rooms or only on the main entrance to the home. Reform Jews may or may not place a mezuzah on their homes and typically, only on the main entrance if they choose to do so at all. Orthodox and other more observant Jews usually touch the mezuzah upon entering or leaving any doorway on which a mezuzah is affixed and will also kiss their fingertips immediately after doing so.

Among orthodox and observant Jews, the attachment of the mezuzah is performed in conjunction with a short informal ceremony called "Chanukkat Ha-Bayit ("blessing of the house").
During that ceremony, the following blessing is read in Hebrew:

"Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to affix a mezuzah."

The mezuzah is treated as a sacred religious object, mainly because it contains the name of God. Therefore, the mezuzah is removed from the door before repainting so that it is not covered up and Jews are careful to remove it from any homes they vacate to prevent the possibility that the mezuzah might be desecrated after their departure.

Reference

Margolis, M.L. And Marx, a. (1970). History of the Jewish….....

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