mezuzah

American  

[muh-zooz-uh, muh-zoo-zah, muh-zoo-zuh] / məˈzʊz ə, mə zuˈzɑ, məˈzʊ zə /

Or mezuza

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.

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mezuzah British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of mezuzah

First recorded in 1640–50; from Hebrew məzūzāh, literally, “doorjamb, 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 • Mar. 3, 2025

Yet, a broken clock is right at least twice, as the saying goes; for example, many doors have a mezuzah on them, and, miraculously, no one seems to have to explain it.

From Salon • Dec. 19, 2022

Mr. Hatch was also remembered by Jewish media for writing a Hanukkah song — and for wearing a mezuzah around his neck and staunchly supporting Israel.

From Washington Times • Apr. 25, 2022

As she reached for the goods -- a mezuzah, a hanukiah -- Mishulovin wrapped tefillin around her husband's wrist.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2016

“There’s a rolled-up prayer inside. My parents aren’t very observant, but having a mezuzah on your front door is like level-one Judaism.”

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan