mezuzahs
Jewish doorpost scrolls
Mezuzahs are small decorative cases containing a parchment scroll inscribed with verses from the Hebrew Bible, affixed to the doorframes of Jewish homes.
The practice fulfills the biblical commandment to write God's words "on the doorposts of your house." Mezuzahs mark a home as Jewish and serve as a reminder of faith upon entering and leaving.
They range from simple to ornate, and observant Jews touch or kiss them as they pass.
She bought a handcrafted mezuzah for her new apartment.
Judaism's core scripture
- mitzvahJewish law commandment
- kosherPermissible by Jewish law
- synagogueJewish house of worship
- rabbiJewish spiritual leader
Shabbat · kippah · tallit · tefillin · seder · Passover · Hanukkah · menorah
Ceremonial set of actions
- customHabitual group practice
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
practice · mitzvah · commandment · affixing · blessing · kissing · touching · dedication
Treated hide for manuscripts
- vellumPrepared calfskin for writing
- versesLines of poetry
- calligraphyOrnamental handwriting art
- inkWriting fluid
scribe · sofer · handwritten · rolled · biblical · sacred · text · passages
Point of beginning
- doorframeStructure surrounding an entrance
- lintelBeam over an opening
- jambVertical frame member
- entrancePoint of access
entryway · affixed · mounted · slanted · placement · right side · nail · hung
Prayer seeking divine favor
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
- sacredWorthy of reverence
- sanctityQuality of being inviolable
divine · watchful · spiritual · ward · sheltering · safekeeping · sanctified · consecrated
Thing that beautifies
- decorativeServing to beautify
- ceramicFired clay material
- silverLustrous white precious metal
- brassCopper-zinc metal mixture
wooden · glass · pewter · olive wood · filigree · engraved · handcrafted · artisan
Torah
Judaism's core scripture
rabbi · Shabbat · kippah · tallit · tefillin · seder · Passover · Hanukkah · menorah · challah
ritual
Ceremonial set of actions
- customHabitual group practice
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- traditionCustom passed through generations
heritage · practice · mitzvah · commandment · affixing · blessing · kissing · touching · dedication · housewarming
parchment
Treated hide for manuscripts
- vellumPrepared calfskin for writing
- versesLines of poetry
- calligraphyOrnamental handwriting art
ink · scribe · sofer · handwritten · rolled · biblical · sacred · text · passages · writing
threshold
Point of beginning
entrance · entryway · affixed · mounted · slanted · placement · right side · nail · hung · attached
blessing
Prayer seeking divine favor
sanctity · divine · watchful · spiritual · ward · sheltering · safekeeping · sanctified · consecrated
ornament
Thing that beautifies
- decorativeServing to beautify
- ceramicFired clay material
- silverLustrous white precious metal
brass · wooden · glass · pewter · olive wood · filigree · engraved · handcrafted · artisan · heirloom
- Religious Itemscrosses, crucifixes, rosaries, prayer books, menorahs
- sacred objectsrelic, relics, reliquaries, reliquary, holy relic
- Judaicamenorah, Torah scroll, Talmud, Torah study, Torah ark
- Jewish DiasporaJewish community, dispersion, Ashkenazi Jews, crypto-Jews, Babylonian exile
mezuzahscrucifixes
Crosses bearing Christ's image
crosses · horseshoes · hamsa · torii · prayer flags
mezuzahswelcome signs
Friendly entrance displays
house numbers · wreaths · doorbells · nameplate · nameplates