מזוזה

A person should pay heed to the precept of the Mezuzah; for it is an obligation perpetually binding upon all. Whenever one enters or leaves a home with the Mezuzah on the doorpost, he will be confronted with the Declaration of God's Unity, blessed be His holy name; and will remember the love due to God, and will be aroused from his slumbers and his foolish absorption in temporal vanities. He will realize that nothing endures to all eternity save knowledge of the Ruler of the Universe. This thought will immediately restore him to his right senses and he will walk in the paths of righteousness. Our ancient teachers said: He who has phylacteries on his head and arm, fringes on his garment and a Mezuzah on his door may be presumed not to sin, for he has many monitors—angels that save him from sinning, as it is said, (Psalms 34:8) "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them".

It is a universal custom to write the word Shaddai (Almighty) on the other side of the Mezuzah, opposite the blank space between the two sections. As this word is written on the outside, the practice is unobjectionable. They, however, who write names of angels, holy names, a Biblical text or inscriptions usual on seals, within the Mezuzah, are among those who have no portion in the world to come. For these fools not only fail to fulfill the commandment but they treat an important precept that expresses the Unity of God, the love of Him, and His worship, as if it were an amulet to promote their own personal interests; for, according to their foolish minds, the Mezuzah is something that will secure for them advantage in the vanities of the world.^*A reproof to those who sell Mezuzoth to be worn as amulets !

The Temple Mount, its chambers and courts, synagogues and houses of study which have no residences are exempt, because they are sacred. A village synagogue in which transients lodge requires a Mezuzah. So too, a city synagogue which has a dwelling house attached to it, requires a Mezuzah. None of the Temple entrances had a Mezuzah except the Gate of Nikanor, and the gate within that gate, and the entrance to the Chamber of Parhedrin, because this chamber was the High Priest's residence during his seven days of seclusion (prior to the Day of Atonement).

There are ten conditions which must exist in a dwelling, to put the occupant under an obligation to affix a Mezuzah. If one of these is absent, he is exempt. These are as follows: The dwelling must have a superficial area of four cubits by four cubits or more; it must have two door-posts, a lintel, a roof and doors; the entrance should be ten hand-breadths high or more; it must be a secular (not a sacred) structure; it must have been erected for human occupancy, for honored use (not a lavatory), and built for permanent habitation.

The fulfillment of the precept of the Mezuzah is incumbent upon all Israelites, including women and slaves (of Israelites). Children under the age of thirteen years are trained to affix the Mezuzah to their rooms. One who rents a dwelling outside the Holy Land, or lodges at an inn in the Holy Land is exempt from the obligation of affixing a Mezuzah for a period of thirty days after beginning his occupancy. But if one rents a home in the Holy Land, the duty of affixing a Mezuzah devolves immediately.

A privy, bath-house, ritual bath-house, tannery and similar places are exempt from the obligation of a Mezuzah because they are not erected to serve as dwellings for honored use. The tabernacle for the feast of Tabernacles, and a room in a ship are exempt from the obligation of a Mezuzah because they are not made for permanent occupancy. Of two potter's booths, one leading to the other, the exterior is exempt from the obligation of a Mezuzah, because it is not permanent. Shops in market places are exempt, because they are not intended to be used as residences.

Where is the Mezuzah to be fixed? Within the width of the doorpost, a hand-breadth from the external edge at a height of a third of the elevation of the entrance, counting from the top. If placed higher it is fit in position, provided that it is a hand-breadth lower than the lintel. It should be fixed on the right side of one entering; if placed on the left side, it is unfit for use. A house owned by partners requires a Mezuzah.