Why do Jews put mezuzah on their doors?
There are a few different ways we can understand this question.
1) We know Jews put mezuzahs on their doors – what is the origin of this custom? In other words, Why do Jews put mezuzahs on their doors?
The answer to this is, it’s a commandment in Torah Deuteronomy (D’varim) 6:9: “And you shall inscribe them on the doorposts (mezuzot) of our house and on your gates”. Over time, in Ashkenazi practice, inscribing them has come to mean affixing the words of the commandment in a case and attaching them to a doorway. (You can read more about this in our blog, “What is the purpose of the mezuzah”.
2) Why should a Jew put a mezuzah on their door?
We like this article about what statement you make when you hang a mezuzah. In brief, aside from being a mitzvah, it is a sign of Jewish pride, a signal to other Jews, and a freedom not to be taken for granted.
3) In these times of rising anti-Semitism, why would a Jew put a mezuzah on their door? Put another way, should I hang one if it doesn’t feel safe to do so?
This article explores this question. The short answer is, if it’s not safe, don’t do it, but hanging it inside your doorway (so it’s not visible from outside) is an option. The same applies, by the way, if theft is a real issue.
4) Why do only Jews hang a mezuzah? In other words, why don’t non-Jews do it?
To my surprise, in doing some research for this blog, I found that some non-Jews do have a Mezuzah, although it’s usually because one was left behind by a Jew. It’s not an obligation for non-Jews, but neither is it forbidden, and there’s a mix of opinion about whether it’s a good thing or not. If you are not Jewish and contemplating this, consider your motivation. If it’s in solidarity, or because you want to respect something that’s there, that’s very different from hanging one for “good luck” or any other reason that might smack of cultural appropriation.
One example of our Mezuzot - each one is unique
If you are looking for a modern, unique mezuzah to hang in your home, We carry them. The are included with our Basic Box, and you can add them to a Custom Box, or simply order one on its own. Go to www.JewJuBox.ca/shop.