Buying a Mezuzah can be a confusing task. There are so many thousands of Mezuzahs to choose from. But what do you need to know before you purchase a Mezuzah? Here are some things to keep in mind.
The scroll is the most important part.
Kosher Mezuzah Scroll.
It is easy to get carried away with all of the choices in a Mezuzah case. But it is important to remember that the Mezuzah is actually the scroll inside. A
Mezuzah scroll has to be written by hand by a certified scribe on animal skin to be valid.
There is an entire body of complex Torah law just about the details of writing Mezuzahs, Tefillin and Torah scrolls. For example, if any two letters are touching each other, even a little bit, the Mezuzah is rendered invalid. If a single letter is not shaped correctly, the Mezuzah is also invalid. It goes without saying that if a letter is missing or a word is misspelled, that it is not a Kosher Mezuzah.
There are many Mezuzah scrolls on the market which are not written and checked carefully and are therefore not Kosher. For this reason. It is good advise to always purchase your Mezuzah scroll from someone who is well versed in these laws and can properly ascertain the quality of what he is selling and stand behind it.
Choosing a Mezuzah case.
Once you know that you have a genuine, Kosher Mezuzah scroll you can choose your Mezuzah case. This is more straightforward. But there are some considerations to keep in mind beyond the simple aesthetics.
Outdoor Mezuzah.
Keep in mind where your Mezuzah will be located. If it is for the front door of your home, is it exposed to wind and rain? Is it exposed to direct sunlight? These are things that can easily ruin your scroll if you do not use a case that is made to withstand these conditions.
If your Mezuzah will be exposed to moisture, make sure to choose a waterproof Mezuzah case. If it will be in direct sunlight, you may want to choose something in a lighter color like white or aluminum. The light color will reflect most of the sunlight and the case wont heat up too much thereby damaging the scroll.
A delicate indoor Mezuzah.
If your Mezuzah will be inside a bedroom, for example on a walk-in closet, the case must be opaque. This is because you will be dressing in that room and it is not respectful to stand naked in front of an exposed Mezuzah.
If on the other hand your Mezuzah will be on the entrance to a dining room or living room, you can choose pretty much anything that you like.
If you take these tips into consideration before you purchase your Mezuzah, it will bring blessing to your home for many years to come.
