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Mezuzah Translation and Teaching

Mezuzah Teachings
The direct translation of the word mezuzah is "doorpost." A mezuzah is the parchment on which the prayers Sh'ma and V'ahafta are written. What I make is the case which holds the parchment, so that it may be attached to the front doorpost and every room of the home.

Mezuzah Translation
Mezuzah Scroll Sh'ma & V'ahafta translation
The first prayer (Sh'ma) translated in English means: Hear, O Israel: the Eternal One is our
G-d, the Eternal G-d is one! Deuteronomy 6:4

The second prayer (V'ahavta) modern translation by Marcia Falk
Loving life and its mysterious source with all our heart and all our spirit, all our sense and strength, we take upon ourselves these promises: to care for the earth and those who live upon it, to pursue justice and peace, to love kindness and compassion. We will teach this to our children throughout the passage of the day as we dwell in our homes and as we go on our journeys, from the time we rise until the time we fall asleep. And may our actions be faithful to our words that our children's children may live to know: Truth and kindness have embraced, peace and justice have kissed and are one. Deuteronomy 11:13

Traditional translation-From "Like a Reed, The Message of the Mezuzah" (pp. 6) by Yehuda Cahn
Listen Israel, the L-rd is our G-d, the L-rd is one. You shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them to you children and speak about them when you sit at home, walk about, lie down, or get up. You whall tie them as a symbol on your arm and as a headpiece between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorways of your house and on your gates.

If you obey the percepts which I command you today to love the L-rd your G-d and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul, then I will give rain to your land in its season, the fall and spring rains, and you will collect your grain, wine, and oil. I will give grass in your field for your cattle. You will eat and be satisfied. Guard yourselves, or your hearts will persuade you to turn from me and worship false things and bow to them. Then G-d's anger will burn against you and He will stop up the skies so that there will be no rain. The land will yield no produce and you will perish from the good land which G-d gave you. You shall place these words in your heart and in your soul. You whall tie them as a symbol on your arm and as a headpiece between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children and speak about them when you sit at home, walk about, lie down, or get up. You whall tie them as a symbol on your arm and as a headpiece between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorways of your house and on your gates so that your days and the days of your children may be increased upon the land which G-d swore to give to your fathers for as long as the sky remains over the earth. Deuteronomy 11:13

For even more information on the religious essence of the mezuzah, click here.

Why is the letter Shin on the front of the Mezuzah?
Shin is the 21st Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. On the Mezuzah case it represents "Shaddai," which is one way of saying G-d in Hebrew. There are many ways of saying G-d in Hebrew, Shaddai represents the protective aspect of G-d. Since the mezuzah is meant as a protection, the letter shin for Shaddai is used.

  • What is a mezuzah?
  • How to affix a mezuzah