mezuzah

Or me·zu·za

[muh-zooz-uh, muh-zoo-zah, muh-zoo-zuh]

noun

plural

mezuzoth, mezuzot, mezuzos. ,

plural

mezuzahs .

1. Judaism.,  a parchment scroll inscribed on one side with the Biblical passages Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 11:13–21 and on the other side with the word Shaddai (a name applied to God), inserted in a small case or tube so that Shaddai is visible through an aperture in front, and attached by some Jews to the doorjambs of the home.

mezuzah

/ məˈzʊzə, məˈzʊzə, -ˈzuː-, məzʊˈzɑ /

noun

1. a piece of parchment inscribed with biblical passages and fixed to the doorpost of the rooms of a Jewish house

2. a metal case for such a parchment, sometimes worn as an ornament

Word History and Origins

Origin of mezuzah¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Hebrew məzūzāh, literally, “doorjamb, doorpost”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mezuzah¹

from Hebrew, literally: doorpost

Example Sentences

"Every house in a Jewish town has a mezuzah on the door, which is like a little tube with a little Torah scroll inside and when you come through, you touch it."

From BBC

Many Jews have removed mezuzahs - the small Torah scrolls - from their doorposts, or they have covered them with duct tape out of fear of reprisal.

From BBC

Other combatants travel with mezuzahs, small boxes containing biblical Scriptures meant to be hung outside Jewish residences, to affix to Palestinian homes.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s been talk of blending in better: covering skullcaps in public and perhaps hiding mezuzahs, the traditional symbol on doorposts of Jewish homes.

From Seattle Times

She would have mezuzahs on her door and wear a Star of David around her neck and think nothing of it.

From Seattle Times