Tuesday, April 3, 2012

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.

16 comments:

  1. I've read about these when studying the life of Paul. I didn't realize how beautiful they are. I really want one!

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  2. That is really interesting! I have heard of these before but it must be neat to see them in person! How wonderful that they have such respect for God...wish it was that way all over the world.

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  3. We were out visiting in a local neighborhood a few Saturdays ago and knocked at a house with a mezuzah on the door. We recognized what it was, but didn't know the proper name. The man who answered the door was very obviously a Jewish man, and we talked with him for a few minutes before excusing ourselves and apologizing for interrupting his Sabbath. He was friendly, but he didn't correct us on the name of the mezuzah! LOL

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  4. What a beautiful variety -- I love the key. Keeping God's word in our hearts is good, displaying His word to others spreads His word. A very good lesson.

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  5. Another great post! Thanks so much for sharing your life in Israel with all of us!

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  6. So interesting. We did get one when we were there, but I'm thinking it was a replica for sure. Thanks for all the beautiful, informative, inspiring posts, Jolene. Oh, and Happy Easter!

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  7. "...И напиши их на косяках дома твоего и на воротах твоих."
    Очень интересно!
    Делают ли так евреи, живущие, например, в Украине?

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    1. Да, везде где живут! Правдо, что интересно!

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  8. We are praying for you folks. It is not an easy thing to move, much less to do it quickly without knowing where and when and all the details. That is faith!

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  9. Sarah Crawford StevensThursday, April 05, 2012

    Very interesting, thanks for sharing! : )

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  10. Jolene, your Mezuzah blog was so interesting. I remember seeing those even at the Knesset on each office door four years ago when I was there with David. How amazing!

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  11. Oh, what an exciting detour our Heavenly Father is taking you all... Can hardly wait to hear all about your adventures and all that you learn as you unfold God's Word to teach your children and those like me whose life you have touched...
    Happy Easter.. Thank you for sharing...
    Definitely praying for God's will and His protection in your life....
    Nell

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  12. So very interesting. Lovin' these posts. I don't think I want to you to move back to UA! LOL Just kidding.

    I remember a friend who traveled to Israel brought one back and put it on his door frame too. He mentioned a reason (I don't remember know) why most of them are mounted at an angle. Do you know why or don't you see them tilted there?

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    1. Glad you are enjoying these posts, Jill! :-)

      Yes, they are always tilted here and I have read two reasons why. First of all, it is to accommodate varying opinions as to whether it should be horizontal or vertical. Secondly, the tilt TOWARDS the home is to imply that God and His Word are entering the home/room.

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  13. Oooh Those are gorgeous!!! :D The blue one IS reallyyy pretty;))) I also like the key!!!! And the flower one is pretty neat, and the metal/silver one that was a pretty cool shape was well, cool! lol :D This is really neat and I didn't know they did that! Cool that ya'll do it, too(: Thanks for sharing!!! :-D <3

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  14. Just real quick – cuz school starts in 5 minutes….but I meant to email yesterday, and forgot. Love hearing your news from Israel. At school we have been studying Passover and Easter, and the lands of the Bible……so – yesterday I showed some pictures and shared some stories with my students…..thank you for the posts you’ve made. I have been enjoying each one, and praying for you. Love you. More to come!!! Have a wonderful day.
    Malinda

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Thank you for your encouraging comments! "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25