mezuzah

mezuzah
/meuh zooz"euh/; Seph. Heb. /meuh zooh zah"/; Ashk. Heb. /meuh zoo"zeuh/, n., pl. mezuzoth, mezuzot, mezuzos Seph. Heb. /-zooh zawt"/; Ashk. Heb. /-zoo"zohs/; Eng. mezuzahs. Judaism.
a parchment scroll inscribed on one side with the Biblical passages Deut. 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 doorpost of the home.
Also, mezuza.
[1640-50; < Heb mazuzah lit., doorpost]

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also spelled  Mezuza (Hebrew: “doorpost”),  plural  Mezuzoth, Mezuzot, Mezuzahs, or Mezuzas, 

      small folded or rolled parchment inscribed by a qualified calligraphist with scriptural verses (Deuteronomy 6:4–9, 11:13–21) to remind Jews of their obligations toward God. The parchment is placed in a metal, wooden, or glass case so that the word Shaddai (“Almighty”) can usually be seen on the back of the parchment. After a special blessing is recited, the mezuzah is firmly fixed to the main doorpost of the home (to the right as one enters). It is a custom with some Jews to kiss the mezuzah as they pass it. The wearing of a mezuzah on a chain around the neck is a practice of relatively recent origin.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mezuzah — The parchment of the mezuzah Halakhic texts relating to this article: Torah: Deuteronomy 6:9 and …   Wikipedia

  • MEZUZAH — (Heb. מְזוּזָה), parchment scroll affixed to the doorpost of rooms in the Jewish home. The original meaning of the word mezuzah is doorpost (cf. Ex. 12:7). Its etymology is obscure; it has been suggested that it is derived from the Assyrian… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • mezuzah — 1640s, from Hebrew, lit. doorpost …   Etymology dictionary

  • Mezuzah — Mezuza Me*zu za, Mezuzah Me*zu zah, Mezuzoth Mez u*zoth, n. [Heb. m[e^]z[=u]z[=o]th, pl. of m[e^]z[=u]z[=a]h doorpost.] A piece of parchment bearing the Decalogue and attached to the doorpost; in use among orthodox Hebrews. The term is also used… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • mezuzah — or mezuza noun (plural zahs or zas or mezuzot) Etymology: Hebrew mĕzūzāh doorpost Date: 1650 a small parchment scroll inscribed with Deuteronomy 6:4 9 and 11:13 21 and the name Shaddai and placed in a case fixed to the doorpost by some Jewish… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • mezuzah — noun /məˈzuːzə/ A piece of parchment inscribed with Pentateuchal texts and attached in a case to the doorpost of a house, in accordance with Jewish law that says that “the Jews must remember the Tenth Plague and the blood on the doorposts.”… …   Wiktionary

  • Mezuzah — Mezouzah Mezouzah d une Synagogue de Vienne. La mezouzah (hébreu : מזוזה, linteau de porte ; plur. mezouzot …   Wikipédia en Français

  • mezuzah —    See amulet …   Encyclopedia of Demons and Demonology

  • mezuzah — n. small parchment scroll rolled up in a case that is attached to doorframes in the homes of Jewish people …   English contemporary dictionary

  • mezuzah — [mɛ zu:zə] noun (plural mezuzahs or mezuzoth zəʊt) a parchment inscribed with religious texts, attached in a case to the doorpost of a Jewish house as a sign of faith. Origin C17: from Heb. mĕzūzāh doorpost …   English new terms dictionary

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