i apologize for calling you out like that, but i'm almost sure i mispelled that word, and this was my only hope of getting attention from the right people.
i understand the mezuzeh (i THINK that's what the little box is called) is to be placed on the door frame during the passover. what's the origin and history of this article, and how long has it been used?
2007-07-25 22:15:55 · 4 answers · asked by That Guy Drew 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The mezuzah is placed on any entrance which has a lintel. It is mandated for every door in a Jewish home, except for those that lead into a toilet and bathroom. It has nothing to do with Passover- it is there from the day you move into a house to live in it- until the day you leave the house (and if another Jew is moving into the house you leave them up for them!). They are written in the same manner as a Torah scroll- on special parchment with special inks. As such- they are checked a minimum of twice every seven years to make sure they are still kosher. (They can be rendered pasul- forbidden for use, if the letters fade and are no longer legible, if a hole develops in the parchment and destroys letters, if they crack from exposure etc.)
The commandment is found in the Torah;
Deteronomy Chapter 6
4. Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God; the Lord is one.
5. And you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your means.
6. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be upon your heart.
7. And you shall teach them to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk on the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.
8. And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for ornaments between your eyes.
9. And you shall inscribe them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates.
Verse 9 refers specifically to the mezuzah- and its juxtaposed to the other verses to understand what it contains- the opening words of the Shema and its first paragraph.
The Mezuzah has thus been a feature of Jewish homes since the time of mount Sinai. It is affixed in the top third of the doorway- and does not have to be in a box (the mezuzah is actually the parchment- the box is just to protect it)
2007-07-25 22:27:44 · answer #1 · answered by allonyoav 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The first few answers seem to address this alright. I just want to mention that it is not placed on passover but is there year-round. You are confusing this with the Passover story that blood was placed on the door mantles (actually both sides and the top) to protect from the death of the firstborns the night before the redemption from Egypt.
The mezuzah is categorized as a "chok" or unobvious law. Laws can be due to societal justice, dedication to God and obvious thanks or connection to the redemption from Egypt but others are not self explanitory such as Eating Dairy and Meat products together.
2007-07-27 16:19:06 · answer #2 · answered by Scane 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Bible: Deuteronomy 6:9 and Deuteronomy 11:21
Mishnah: Menachot 3:7
Babylonian Talmud: Shabbat 32a, Yoma 11a, Menachot 33a,
Mishneh Torah: Tefillin, Mezuzah, veSefer Torah ch 5-6
Shulchan Aruch: Yoreh De'ah 285-291
2007-07-26 05:26:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The mezuzzah is left up all year round, not just on Pesach. This has been the practice since ancient Israel.
"Write them on the doorposts of your house and gates" Deuteronomy 6:9 and 11:20
2007-07-26 05:27:54 · answer #4 · answered by Amy W 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋