Mezuzahs and Judaica

A mezuzah (Hebrew: מְזוּזָה‎ “doorpost”; plural: מְזוּזוֹת mezuzot) is a piece of parchment, often contained in a decorative case, inscribed with specified Hebrew verses from the Torah. These verses compose the Jewish prayer “Shema Yisrael”, beginning with the phrase: “Hear, O Israel, the LORD (is) our God, the LORD is One”. A mezuzah is affixed to the doorframe in Jewish homes to fulfill the mitzvah, or Biblical commandment, to inscribe the words of the Shema “on the doorposts of your house”. Some interpret Jewish law to require a mezuzah on every doorway in the home, apart from bathrooms and closets too small to qualify as rooms. The parchment is prepared by a qualified scribe (a “sofer stam”) who has undergone many years of meticulous training, and the verses are written in black indelible ink with a special quill pen. The parchment is then rolled up and placed inside the case.

While the important part of the mezuzah is the klaf, or parchment, and not the case itself, designing and producing mezuzah cases has been elevated to an art form over the ages. Mezuzah cases are produced from a wide variety of materials, from silver and precious metals, to wood, stone, ceramics, pewter, and even polymer clay. Wendy has made available gorgeous one of a kind wooden pieces made by a close friend and is making jeweled mezuzahs in her own bejeweled style in hopes you will find just the right mezuzah for your own home or that of a Jewish friend in the selection of handcrafted mezuzot below.

You will also find Wendy Gell’s opulent jewelry design talent adapts itself beautifully to creating sparkling one-of-a-kind hamsas and more Judaica with which to decorate your home.

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