The mezuzah is installed after all the home decor is completed. Some relevant resources are:
steel pipe
Home decor
August 10th, 2009Coral castle
June 5th, 2009Like the mezuzah, there are many ancient traditions which continue to be important in construction and home decor today. Coral castle was a stone structure which was built in the last century using ancient knowledge, which is known only to a few.
Room specifications
June 5th, 2009A mezuzah should be affixed to a room each side of which measures at least 4 cubits (approximately seven feet);
If one of the walls of the room is less than seven feet (and wider than one-and-a-half-feet) but the area has at least 36 sq. feet, the room requires a mezuzah which should be affixed without a blessing;
A walk-in closet which has the above minimum dimensions requires a mezuzah without a blessing;
A walk-in safe requires a mezuzah; however, a walk-in refrigerator does not;
It is a wrongly believed that only the front door requires a mezuzah. If a house has many entries, there is an obligation to affix a mezuzah to each one of them, even if they are not used.
Conditions of Maimonides
June 4th, 2009As per the Maimonides door requires a mezuzah if:
- the doorway leads to a room which is at least 4×4 cubits14;
- the doorway has two doorposts, one on each side (not required by Law);
- the doorway has a lintel or a protrusion from the ceiling attached to the doorposts;
- the doorway leads to a room with a ceiling (not required by Law);
- the doorway has a door (not required by Law);
- the doorway opening is at least 40 inches high and 16 inches wide;
- the doorway leads to a regular (not sacred) room;
- the doorway leads to a human (not animal) dwelling;
- the doorway leads to a clean, dignified room (not a bathroom);
- the doorway leads to a permanent dwelling (not a tent or makeshift dwelling).
Size of a mezuzah
May 30th, 2009Different sizes of mezuzahs are sold by Judaica stores, the main sizes are 10cm, 12 cm and 15 cm. The larger the size of the mezuzah, the easier it is to write on it as the size of the letters is more.
People usually select either the 10 or 12 cm mezuzah for around the house, and the larger 15 cm Mezuzah for the main entrance doorpost to the house.
Angle
May 29th, 2009The mezuzah is placed on an angle, usually at an angle of forty five degrees to the horizontal. It is believed that this is to resolve the conflict of opinion between two influential rabbis.
This angle is also used to emphasise the importance of compromise, to understand the other persons position and to reduce conflict in our lives as we enter a new room or situation.
Blessing
May 29th, 2009Since the mezuzah is a religious scroll, it is mandatory to say the specified blessing before hanging a Mezuzah.
The user should hold the mezuzah against the doorpost in its correct place and recite the blessing in Hebrew before permanently attaching it.
The blessing in Hebrew is: “Baruch ata Adonai, Elohanu, melech ha’olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivanu, lik’boa mezuzah.” This translated into English as, “Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe, Who Sanctified us with His commandments, and has commanded us to affix a mezuzah.”
Case
May 28th, 2009Mezuzah cases can be made from a variety of materials.
These include:
- wood
- plastic
- metal
- clay
Kosher
May 27th, 2009If you are looking for a mezuzah case, you can use Ebay or Froogle to find for a beautiful case for yourself.
However, if you are looking for the scroll to be fitted inside the case, it is not advisable to use anyone unless you know them to be reputable.
It is very easy for deceitful or ignorant sellers to sell you a scroll that is not kosher, because even small imperfections would make a scroll non-kosher.
Buying a Mezuzah
May 27th, 2009You can buy a Mezuzah (jewish boxed scroll) at eBay. However, you have to be careful to ensure that you are getting a genuine product.
You can contact Jewish merchandise boutiques, and check if they are stocking Mezuzahs.
The local Chabad may also help