question for the Jewish ladies and gentleman

We just bought a townhouse. While we were having work done on our house, one of our contractors pointed out small metal symbols attached to our doorframes at the front and back doors. He didn't explain very well what they were, but he said it was a Jewish custom. (I apologize for calling them "symbols" - I don't know the correct name for them.)

I'm just curious to know what they are and what they mean. Neither DH nor I is Jewish and we don't know what they are called. We're just looking to get some more information about them and to learn what they mean.

Also... in the future (a year or so), we plan to get all new windows, which includes replacing the entire sliding glass door that is our back door. That would mean this symbol (so sorry I don't know what it is called!) would be removed with the framing because of where it is placed. Is it wrong or disrespectful to dispose of it? Is there a proper way to handle it?

I apologize in advance if my questions are silly. I am honestly curious and just want to do the right thing.

Thanks!

Re: question for the Jewish ladies and gentleman

its a mezuzah..

i copied this from judaism 101 website...

On the doorposts of traditional Jewish homes (and many not-so-traditional homes!), you will find a small case like the one pictured at left. This case is commonly known as a mezuzah (Heb.: doorpost), because it is placed upon the doorposts of the house. The mezuzah is not, as some suppose, a good-luck charm, nor does it have any connection with the lamb's blood placed on the doorposts in Egypt. Rather, it is a constant reminder of G-d's presence and G-d's mitzvot.

The mitzvah to place mezuzot on the doorposts of our houses is derived from Deut. 6:4-9, a passage commonly known as the Shema (Hear, from the first word of the passage). In that passage, G-d commands us to keep His words constantly in our minds and in our hearts, by (among other things) writing them on the doorposts of our house. The words of the Shema are written on a tiny scroll of parchment, along with the words of a companion passage, Deut. 11:13-21. On the back of the scroll, a name of G-d is written. The scroll is then rolled up and 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).

The scroll must be handwritten in a special style of writing and must be placed in the case to fulfill the mitzvah. It is commonplace for gift shops to sell cases without scrolls, or with mechanically printed scrolls, because a proper scroll costs more than even an elaborately decorated case ($30-$50 for a valid scroll is quite reasonable). According to traditional authorities, mechanically printed scrolls do not fulfill the mitzvah of the mezuzah, nor does an empty case.

The case and scroll are then nailed or affixed to the right side doorpost on an angle, with a small ceremony called Chanukkat Ha-Bayit (dedication of the house - yes, this is the same word as Chanukkah, the holiday celebrating the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabean revolt against Greece). A brief blessing is recited. See the text of the blessing at Affixing the Mezuzah.

Re: question for the Jewish ladies and gentleman

Thanks!

Would it be wrong for us to dispose of it if we do change the door? I don't want to be disrespectful, but I also will need to change the door at some point in the next couple years... which means it'll be removed.

Re: question for the Jewish ladies and gentleman

The mezuzah has one of the holiest prayers to the Jews in it. Traditionally, anything that has g-d's name on it has to be buried.

What I would recommend is taking it off (its usually screwed on) and bringing it to a local temple or JCC and letting them know you bought a house with it, but are not jewish.

Re: question for the Jewish ladies and gentleman

Re: question for the Jewish ladies and gentleman

Message edited 10/18/2007 12:02:23 PM.

Re: question for the Jewish ladies and gentleman

Posted by Kara

Thank you!

This is exactly what I wanted to know. I did not want to do anything disrespectful when we ultimately remove that doorframe.

Thanks so much for the information!

ETA - They aren't bothering us at all and we like the sentiment... so we are not looking to get rid of them now. I just know that doorframe in particular will be removed in the next year or two and want to make sure we do the right thing then.

Re: question for the Jewish ladies and gentleman

Thanks for explaining it! I am really glad I asked. My DH and I both had a feeling that just throwing it out would be the absolute wrong thing to do, so I said I'd ask around!

Interestingly, my Jewish friends each gave me different information than the others (and I couldn't remember the name!). I figured I'd try to look it up for myself.

Your advice sounds like the best way to handle it.