M E Z U Z A («doorpost»). — A roll of parchment in a glass or metal case, affixed to the doorpost; it contains in Hebrew the passages Deut. 6:4–9; 11:13–21. The first treats of the infinite love for the Lord, the second of the reward for obedience to His will. The m. is to be affixed to the doorpost, on the right side of the entrant, at the entrance to houses and courtyards; hence stores, stables, cellars are excluded, as well as synagogues and schools. Observant faithful, upon entering, touch the m. with the finger and then kiss the finger.
From the 3rd century onward, popular beliefs reduced the m. to a kind of amulet, and various names of God and angels were added. Against this abuse Maimonides (v.) protests in his work *Mano forte*. Among the uneducated populace, the use of the m. was not yet widespread in the Talmudic period. The Karaites (v.) do not know this custom. Inscribed doorposts were already in use among the ancient Egyptians, and Muslims also place sayings from the Koran on the entrances of houses. Within the Jewish milieu, the use of the m. was justified by reference to the Pentateuchal passages mentioned above.