The short answer
- The mezuzah itself is the parchment scroll inside; the case protects and decorates it.
- The scroll must be handwritten on parchment by a qualified scribe. Our cases are sold without it.
- A mezuzah goes on the right-hand doorpost as you enter, in the upper third of the doorway's height.
- Our horn cases, plated in 925 silver, each keep the horn's natural shape. The clear glass case is light and modern.
- A mezuzah case is a classic gift for a new home or a newly married couple.
The case and the scroll
What makes a mezuzah is the scroll: a piece of parchment carrying two passages of the Shema, handwritten by a trained scribe (sofer). The case holds the scroll and protects it on the doorpost.
Printed scrolls are not kosher, so buy the scroll from a scribe or a seller you trust, and have it checked, traditionally twice every seven years. Our cases are sold without the scroll.
Scrolls come in several lengths. Check that the scroll fits inside the case before you fix the case to the door.
Horn or glass?
Our horn cases are made from natural kudu, ram or oryx horn, plated by hand in 925 silver. Each horn grows differently, so no two cases have the same shape.
The clear glass case is shaped by hand in our studio. It suits a modern door and a bright interior.
Natural horn lasts best out of strong sun and rain, so a covered doorway is the kinder spot for a horn case. Wipe the 925 silver plating with a soft dry cloth and do not use silver polish.
Where and how to hang a mezuzah
The mezuzah goes on the right-hand doorpost as you walk into the house or room, in the upper third of the doorway's height.
Ashkenazi custom is to fix it at a slant, with the top pointing into the room; Sephardi custom is to fix it upright. The blessing for fixing a mezuzah, likboa mezuzah, is said just before.
A mezuzah belongs on every doorway of the home except bathrooms, not only the front door. Customs vary, so ask your rabbi about your home.
A mezuzah case as a gift
- Housewarming: a case for the front door of a new home.
- Wedding: a case for the couple's first home together.
- Bar or bat mitzvah: a case for their own bedroom door.
- If you give a case, tell the recipient that the scroll is bought separately, or add one from a scribe you trust.
Every piece is made to order in Israel. Allow up to 14 business days before it ships, and order a few weeks early before a holiday. Shipping is ₪35 within Israel and $45 anywhere else, or collect from our gallery in Karnei Shomron.
