Expert: Ovadiah ben Avraham - 2/28/2006

Question
Could you please tell me what the name and purpose of the smaal wooden box attached to entrances to Jewish homes. My Grandeparents and mother were Jewish but i was brought up outside the faith for reasons i never fully understood so im just trying to learn more about my heritage one step at a time.
Thankyou

Answer
Robert,
Mozel tov on your efforts to embrace your heritage.

The boxes are called mezuzot (singular= mezuzza). They contain kosher parchment upon which is written portions of the Sh'ma, our creed ("Hear oh Israel the Lord is our God, our One and Only!..."). They are commanded in Deuteronomy, although the exact verse number escapes me right now..."and you shall write them (God's words) on the doorposts of your hands and upon your gates". The proper thing to do is to touch the mezuza with your first two fingers of your right hand and recite the blessing "May the Lord always bless my comings in and my goings out". There is a longer version, but this is the more common one.

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask again if i can be of further help. You might also want to type Judaism 101 into your browser and visit their site...they have a lot of this stuff already written down their, from beginner to 'expert' levels. Shalom!