Can I make my own mezuzah?
You can make rituals and holidays special by making the objects connected to the ritual or holiday as beautiful as possible. Create your own mezuzah, a small case attached to the right doorpost of Jewish homes and businesses, by reusing materials you have in your home.
How do you make a ceramic mezuzah?
How to make a DIY clay mezuzah:
- Roll out a flat-ish snake.
- On the back, use the tool pictured below to slowly carve out a notch for your mezuzah.
- If you’d like you can use your fingers to tweak the shape.
- Poke holes in the top and bottom.
- Use the tool that looks like a metal paintbrush to carve brushstrokes.
What can a mezuzah be made from?
Nowadays a Samaritan mezuzah is usually made of either marble, a wooden plate, or a sheet of parchment or high quality paper, on which they inscribe select verses from the Samaritan Torah. This they place either above the house door, or inside the house, in the entrance hall or at a prominent place on a large wall.
What are the words written in the mezuzah?
Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam, asher keedishanu b’meetzvotav v’tzeevanu leek’boa mezuzah. Translation: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with God’s commandments and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.
Does a mezuzah scroll need to be kosher?
Although a “non-kosher” case does not usually invalidate the affixing of the mezuzah, sometimes it can. Even if an improper mezuzah case is still halachically permissible, one should not suffice with the bare minimum; rather, one should be scrupulous in this mitzvah and merit to lengthen the days of one’s life.
Why is a mezuzah hung at an angle?
They eventually compromised, and agreed that a mezuzah should be hung on the diagonal, with its top inclined toward the inside. The decision, allowing peace to rein in a Jewish home in 12th century France, is part of the message of the mezuzah.
What is a mezuzah and what is its purpose?
mezuzah, also spelled Mezuza (Hebrew: “doorpost”), plural Mezuzoth, Mezuzot, Mezuzahs, or Mezuzas, small folded or rolled parchment inscribed by a qualified calligraphist with scriptural verses (Deuteronomy 6:4–9, 11:13–21) to remind Jews of their obligations toward God.
What is on the scroll inside a mezuzah?
Inside every decorative mezuzah is a tightly wound scroll that contains the two most sacred prayers in Judaism (These are the verses of Deut. 6:4-9 and Deut. 11:13-21.) On the back of the scroll is written the word Shadai in Hebrew, one of the names of God.
What yarmulke means?
Definitions of yarmulke. a skullcap worn by religious Jews (especially at prayer) synonyms: yarmelke, yarmulka.
What prayer is inside a mezuzah?
the Shema prayer
The mezuzah opens up and inside is the Shema prayer, written on a small piece of parchment. The Shema is the most important prayer in Judaism because it reminds Jewish people that there is only one God.
What are some fun mezuzah projects for kids?
Here’s a fun mezuzah project that your kids can help create and mount, so the tradition can come down to their level. Below are two quick and easy versions any child can make with a little help: a Matchbox Mezuzah and a Glue Stick Mezuzah.
What is a mezuzah and why is it important?
A mezuzah, which literally means doorpost in Hebrew, is a small scroll traditonally mounted to every doorpost in a house to mark a family’s commitment to creating a Jewish household. Some people touch the mezuzah and kiss their fingers (or vice versa) every time they go in or out of a room as a sign of respect.
What is inside a mezuzah case?
Inside every mezuzah case is a parchment scroll (klaf) of the Shema –Judaism’s central prayer–written by a scribe (sofer). A kosher scroll is an exquisite work of art in miniature, and can be purchased at Judaica shops. However, for a child’s homemade mezuzah case, a homemade scroll can be much more meaningful for the maker.
What is a Shin mezuzah?
Most have the Hebrew letter shin on the front: the first letter of Shaddai (spelled shin, dalet, yud ), which is one of the names of God and an acronym for Shomer daltot Yisrael: Guardian of the doors of Israel. The touch-me appeal of a matchbox (who doesn’t love to slide one open and shut?) makes this an irresistible mezuzah craft.
