Write them upon the posts of thy house

One thing you can't help but noticing here in Israel is a command in Deuteronomy that the Jews take literally: to "write them (the Scriptures) upon the posts of thy house."  This command is carried out by nailing something called a "mezuzah" (see definition above) to doorposts everywhere... homes, hotel rooms, business entrances, in malls, restaurants, etc...

Some even interpret Jewish law to require a mezuzah on every doorway in the home apart from bathrooms and small closets.

Placed inside the case of the mezuzah is a small rolled-up parchment with verses from Deuteronomy on them.  This parchment has been prepared by a scribe who has undergone many years of meticulous training, and the verses are written in black indelible ink with a special quill pen.

It is common to see a Jew touch a mezuzah and then place those fingers on their lips when they walk through doorways.  This custom is a sign of respect and affection for God and His Word.  You see this almost every time they enter a building!

The commandment to affix a mezuzah is widely followed in the Jewish world, even by Jews who are not religiously observant.  While the important part is not the case itself, designing and producing mezuzah cases has been elevated to an art form over the ages.  Mezuzah cases are produced from a wide variety of materials (metal, wood, stone, ceramic, pewter, and clay).

Some dealers provide their buyers with a copy of the text, but for observing Jews this is not acceptable.  Tourists (who are not as concerned with authenticity) often go home with replicas.

Below are some different mezuzahs you might see in Israel.  Notice how very different {and beautifully intricate and ornate} they can be:

Mezuzahs come in every color and style imaginable!  I'm really liking that turquoise one above.  Isn't it so pretty and sparkly?

We have two doorways that lead into our home and both of them have mezuzahs.  Though we are not Jewish, we do try to write God's Word in our hearts through memorizing the Scriptures as a family.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.