‖ mezuza(h
(məˈzuːzə)
Pl. mezuzoth (məˈzuːzəʊθ).
[Heb. m⊇zūzā{suph} door-post (Deut. vi. 9, etc.); in Rabbinic Heb. used as below.]
Among the Jews, a piece of parchment inscribed on one side with the texts Deut. vi. 4–9 and xi. 13–21 and on the other with the divine name Shaddai, enclosed in a case which is attached to the door-post of the house, in fulfilment of the injunction in Deut. vi. 9.
The case is a glass tube, or has an opening covered with glass, talc, or horn, through which the name Shaddai is seen. On leaving or entering the house, a pious Jew touches the mezuza with his finger and puts the finger to his lips, repeating the words of Ps. cxxi. 8.
| 1650 Chilmead tr. Leo of Modena's Rites, Customs etc. Jews i. ii. 6 As often as they go in and out, they make it a part of their devotion to touch this Parchment, and kisse it: and this they call..Me-Zuzah, that is, The Post. 1707 Ockley tr. Leo of Modena's Hist. Jews i. ii. 7 And this they call Mezuza. 1732 D'Oyly & Colson tr. Calmet's Dict. Bible II. 194 Mezuzoth. 1855 Smedley, etc. Occult Sci. 342 The mezuzoth or schedules for door-posts. 1892 Zangwill Childr. Ghetto II. 3 They don't kiss the Mezuzahs often in that house—the impious crew. |