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Mezuzah case and parchment

Yad

A parchment scroll with biblical verses that is placed in a case on the doorposts of Jewish houses or public buildings and recalls the Covenant.

Notes

In North Africa, the mezuzah parchment is sometimes inserted in a slit in the doorpost which is then covered with a mezuzah cover made of embroidered fabric or embossed metal.

Video

What is a mezuzah and how to hang it.

Translations

  • Hebrewבית מזוזה וקלף
  • GermanMesusa-Behältnis und Pergament
  • RussianМезуза: футляр и вложенный в него паргамент
  • FrenchÉtui et parchemin de Mezouza
  • DutchMezoeza
  • ItalianContenitore e pergamena per la mezuzah
  • CzechMezuza
  • HungarianMezuza
  • SpanishReceptáculo y pergamino de mezuzá
  • GreekΘήκη και περγαμηνή της μεζουζά
  • PolishMezuza – futerał i pergamin
  • Arabicعلبة التميمة (مزوزا) ولفيفة ورق
  • Yiddishקעסטל פֿאַר מזוזה און קלף
  • LadinoKashika de mezuza i pergamino

Bibliography

Apter, Lauren, and Amanda Barnett, eds. Mezuzah: The 2002 Philip and Sylvia Spertus Judaica Prize. Chicago: Spertus Museum, 2002.

Gordon, Martin L. “Mezuzah: Protective Amulet or Religious Symbol?Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought, vol. 16, no.14, Rabbinical Council of America, 1977, pp. 7-40.

Landsberger, Franz. “The Origin of the Decorated Mezuzah.” Hebrew Union College Annual, vol. 31, Cincinnati & New York: Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, 1960, pp. 149-166.

Rosenbaum. Belle. Upon Thy Doorposts: The Law, the Lore, the Love of Mezuzot: A Personal Collection. New York: Jacob and Belle Rosenbaum Foundation, 1995.

Sabar, Shalom. “Bli ‘Ain Ha-Ra – Magia ve Keme’ot Be-Machzor Ha-Chayim Ha-Yehudi [The Mezuzah and Safeguarding the Home].Lots of Luck – Jewish Amulets and Ritual Objects, edited by Yael Wiesel and Sarah Shahak, Ashdod: Corinne Mamane Museum of Philistine Culture, 2013, pp. 8-14

Sabar, Shalom. “Magic and Amulets in the Traditional Jewish Home.JMB – Jüdisches Museum Berlin /Jewish Museum Berlin Journal, nr. 13, 2015, pp 13-17.

Sabar, Shalom. “Ha-Kisui Le-Mezuzah – Chefets Rituali Omanuti Yechudi Be-Chayieha shel Ha-Isha Ha-Yehudiyah Be-‘Arey Marokko [The Mezuzah Cover – A Special Artistic Ritual Object in the Life of the Jewish Woman in the Moroccan Cities]Dameta leTamar: Studies in Honor of Tamar Alexander, ed. Eliezer Papo et al., vol. 2, Beer-Sheva: Moshe David Gaon Center for Ladino Culture, 2015, pp. 575-600.

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