As Believers:
As Believers in the Messiah Yeshua/Jesus Christ we are bombarded daily by the world and its self centered and evil ways, so going back to Torah and following G‑d’s commandments helps us stay on track. We as believers are Grafted in to Yisra’el, not a replacement, but now children of the Most High G‑d. (Romans 11:11-31)
By mounting a Mezuzah on our door posts we are
- keeping one of G‑d’s commandments and by following them and bringing up our children in His ways we are also keeping His commands.
- Every time we enter or leave our homes we see the Mezuzah and are reminded that we are and have dedicated our lives and homes to G‑d.
- When entering or leaving the home it is traditional to touch the Mezuzah then kiss the hand/fingers that touched it.
Why Hang a Mezuzah?
In the Torah, God commands the Jewish people to hang mezuzot on their doorposts. Two Torah portions, Shema and V’ahavta, include the verse: “And you shall inscribe these words upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates.”
The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) begins with “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.” The Shema reminds us that God is always present in our lives, and that we should keep God’s words constantly in our minds and in our hearts. The Shema tells us that one way to do this is by writing them on the doorposts of our house. V’ahavta (Deuteronomy 11:13-21) assures us of God’s compensation if we fulfill his commandments (mitzvot).
It is a Torah commandment to hang mezuzot on our doorposts. Mezuzot, in turn, remind of God’s presence and of our duty to fulfill God’s commandments.
Blessing on Affixing a Mezuzah
Before affixing a mezuzah to a doorpost, the following blessing is recited:
Hebrew
בָּרוּך אַתָּה אַדָנָ-י
אֶלוֹהֵ-ינוּ מֶלֶך הָעוֹלָם
אַשֶר קְדִשָנוּ בְּמִצְווֹתָיו
וְצִיווָנוּ לִקְבּוֹעַ מְזוּזָה
Transliteration
Barukh ata Adonai
Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam,
asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav
v’tzivanu likbo-a mezuzah.
English
Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d,
Ruler of the universe,
Who sanctifies us with holy commandments
and commands us to fix a mezuzah.
The blessing is only recited once (usually on the front door) for all the mezuzot in the house. After reciting the blessing, no words are spoken until all mezuzot are hung throughout the house.
Where to Affix a Mezuzah
The mezuzah is placed in the following way:
On the right doorpost as one enters the room. At the bottom of the upper third of the doorpost (shoulder height). in a slightly slanted position so that the top points toward the inside of the room.
The name of God, Shaddai (letters Shin-Dalet-Yud (ש-ד-י)) is written on the back of mezuzot. It is said that these letters also stand for Shomer Daltot Yisrael, which means Guardian of the Doors of Israel.
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