Did you know that the word "mezuzah"
literally means doorpost in Biblical Hebrew?

What is a mezuzah?

A Mezuzah is a very holy object. The mezuzah is a constant reminder of G-d’s presence and G-d’s mitzvoth.  One common misconception is that a mezuzah is the pretty case/container you hang on the doorpost: The case is just a case.  It's primary purpose is to protect the mezuzah that is inside it. The mezuzah is not the container, but the parchment that is held inside.  The scroll has passages from the Torah. It contains the first two paragraphs of the "Shema" prayer, declaring the oneness of God, and commanding us "to write [these words] on the doorpost of your house and on your gates" (Deut. 6:4-9). The second passage (Deut. 11:13-21) teaches that Jewish destiny, both individually and nationally, depends upon fulfilling God's will. On the back of the scroll, a name of G-d is written. The scroll is then rolled up placed in the case, so that the first letter of the Name (the letter Shin) is visible (or, more commonly, the letter Shin is written on the outside of the case). We need to remember the great commandment, to love the L-rd thy G-d. It is a commandment given by G-d so that a person will remember, both coming in and going out, the great commandment to love the L-rd thy G-d.

Do all rooms need a mezuzah?

Yes, all permanent dwellings need a mezuzah. Mezuzahs are the obligation of someone who lives in a place like he owns it.   Every interior room of a house including hallways, storage or utility rooms that are used regularly should have a mezuzah. If a room has two entrances, both require a Mezuzah.  A mezuzah should never be placed at the entrance to a bathroom.  Generally, Jewish Law defines a door as having a ceiling and two doorposts. To be a doorway, it must have a lintel. A lintel is a horizontal top-piece over the doorway, which gives the opening the look of a doorway. An opening (like a gate) that has no ceiling, but just has two vertical posts, does not need a Mezuzah.

What side of the door does the mezuzah go on?

The mezuzah should then be affixed to the upper third of the doorpost on the right side as one enters the house or room. If the doorpost is wide enough to permit, the mezuzah should be tilted with the upper part slanting inward toward the house or room.

Why is there always a Shin on each case?

The "shin" stands for "Shaddai" one of the names of G-d, meaning Almighty. The Hebrew word of Shaddai is made up of three letters, the shin, the dalet, and the yud. These letters stand for "Shomer daltot Yisrael", or "The guardian of the doors of Israel."

What is a Kosher scroll?

A Kosher scroll contains passages from the Torah and is hand-written on genuine parchment, prepared from the skin of a kosher animal written with special ink and a quill pen by a highly trained and certified scribe. The text is written in a single column on 22 scored lines; twenty-two lines, which is the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet.  Every letter must be properly written according to halacha (Jewish Law), for even one letter written incorrectly invalidates the Mezuzah.

How do you fit the scroll into the case?

Place the parchment in front of you so the text of the "Shema" is facing you.  Begin to roll the mezuzah is from the left side; so that the words are on the inside and that the first word to appear when the Mezuzah is opened is 'Sh-ma'.  If your mezuzah has an opening, Shaddai should appear in it, otherwise align the word with the front of the case.  Do not fold the mezuzah.  You can wrap the rolled mezuzah with a protective covering, like wax paper before placing it into the case.

Is there a prayer that is said when affixing the mezuzah?

Yes, before affixing the mezuzah to the doorpost, the following blessing should be recited:

I’ve seen people actually touch the mezuzah and then kiss the fingers that touched it, why do people do that?

A mezuzah should be taken very seriously.  A mezuzah is reminder of their love for their G-d, and many observant Jews do this asan expression of devotion to the verses it contains.

When do you to put up the Mezuzah?

The mezuzah must be put up on the first day of moving in to your home. You have up to 30 days to install the mezuzah if you move into a rented home or apartment.

Do mezuzahs ever need to be replaced?

Yes, at least twice every seven years mezuzahs should be inspected by a reliable scribe.  Temperature, weather changes, and age, may cause the ink to fade and crack, thereby invalidating the mezuzah.

Do you remove a mezuzah when you move?