MEZUZAH-JEWISH HOME

Orthodox:

From time immemorial the Mezuzah has marked and made identifiable the Jewish home. For the Jew himself the Mezuzah is not an amulet for good luck, but an object that will remind him/her every time he/she enters his/her home about the Oness of God, and to love and worship that God.

The Mezuzah has to be hand written in parchment. It contains two passages: The Shema "Hear Oh Israel, the Lord in our God, the Lord is One...and "If you will carefully obey my commandments.... (Deuteronomy)

Orthodox and Chasidic Jews affix a Mezuzah in every doorpost inside the house, and also the garage door and garden screen doors. Only the bathrooms are left without the Mezuzah.

According to Jewish Law on a rented home one has 30 days to buy and affix the Mezuzah, but if the new home is owned, the Mezuzah must be affix immediately.

Reform:

ESTABLISHING A JEWISH HOME

The Mitzvah of Sanctifying the Home
It is in this tradition of sacred covenant that a man and a woman are inspired to build together the mikdash meat (the miniature sanctuary) that the Jewish home should be, a place of serenity sanctified daily by the performance of mitzvot. In such an atmosphere a man and a woman can raise children capable of absorbing the traditions of Judaism so that Israel may survive eternally as a "kingdom of priests and a holy people". It is a mitzvah to establish a home which is worthy of the designation mikdash meat (a miniature sanctuary). It is the Jewish home, along with the synagogue, that has preserved the traditions and values of Judaism through centuries of dispersion.

The Mitzvah of Mezuzah
It is a mitzvah to affix a mezuzah to the doorpost of a Jewish home. The mezuzah is a small parchment scroll, usually inserted into a tubular case, upon which is written the Shema Israel and two passages from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21) that speak of the love due to God and His teachings. Some follow the tradition of affixing a mezuzah not only to the main entry door post but to the door post of each major room in the house. The mezuzah should be fastened to the upper part of the right door postt (as one enters) in a diagonal position (the top part inward) so that it may be seen easily on entering or leaving the home. One may affix the mezuzah privately or invite friends and family for a Chanukat ha-Bayit (dedication of a home) ceremony. The mezuzah is not a good luck charm. It is, rather, a symbolic acknowledgment that God is a partner in the home.