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A ''mezuzah'' ((ヘブライ語:מְזוּזָה) "doorpost"; plural: מְזוּזוֹת ''mezuzot'') is a piece of parchment (often contained in a decorative case) inscribed with specified Hebrew verses from the Torah ( and ). These verses compose the Jewish prayer "Shema Yisrael", beginning with the phrase: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD (is) our God, the LORD is One". A mezuzah is affixed to the doorframe in Jewish homes to fulfill the mitzvah (Biblical commandment) to inscribe the words of the Shema "on the doorposts of your house" (). Some interpret Jewish law to require a mezuzah on every doorway in the home〔maharil, teshuvos.〕 apart from bathrooms and closets too small to qualify as rooms.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Which Rooms Require a Mezuzah? )〕 The parchment is prepared by a qualified scribe (a "''sofer stam''") who has undergone many years of meticulous training, and the verses are written in black indelie case. ==Affixing the mezuzah== According to ''halakha'', the ''mezuzah'' should be placed on the right side of the door or doorpost, in the upper third of the doorpost (i.e., approximately shoulder height),〔''Beit Yosef'' YD 289; and see ''Nekudot Hakesef'' ad loc〕 within approximately of the doorway opening. Care should be taken to not tear or damage the parchment or the wording on it, as this will invalidate the ''mezuzah'', which is considered Torah. Generally, ''halakha'' requires that ''mezuzot'' be affixed within 30 days of moving into a rented house or apartment. This applies to Jews living in the Diaspora (i.e., outside of the Land of Israel). For a purchased home or apartment in the Diaspora, or a residence in Israel (owned or rented), the mezuzah is affixed immediately upon moving in. The reason for this difference is that there is an assumption that when a Jew lives in Israel, Israel shall remain his/her permanent residence, whereas a home in the diaspora is temporary. Mezuzot are very special objects and must be taken care of carefully and according to Jewish laws and traditions. Where the doorway is wide enough, Ashkenazi Jews tilt the mezuzah so that the top slants toward the room into which the door opens. This is done to accommodate the variant opinions of the medieval Rabbis Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam as to whether it should be placed horizontally or vertically, and also to imply that God and the Torah (which the mezuzah symbolizes) are entering the room. Most Sephardi, Mizrahi and other non-Ashkenazi Jews affix the mezuzah vertically, though Spanish and Portuguese Jews living in countries where the majority of Jews are Ashkenazim usually place it slanting. The procedure is to hold the ''mezuzah'' against the spot upon which it will be affixed, then recite a blessing: : :''Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‘olam, asher qideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu liqboa‘ mezuzah.'' :Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His ''mitzvot'', and commanded us to affix a ''mezuzah''. Any Jew can recite the blessing provided he or she is old enough to understand the significance of the ''mitzvah''. After the blessing, the ''mezuzah'' is attached. Many people also touch a finger to the mezuzah as a way of showing respect to God in a simpler fashion than saying the prayer whenever they pass through the door. When affixing several ''mezuzot'', it is sufficient to recite the blessing once, before affixing the first one. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Mezuzah」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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