mezuzah

noun

me·​zu·​zah mə-ˈzu̇-zə 

variants or mezuza

plural mezuzahs or mezuzas or mezuzot mə-ˈzu̇-ˌzōt 

: a small parchment scroll inscribed with Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 11:13–21 and the name Shaddai and placed in a case fixed to the doorpost by some Jewish families as a sign and reminder of their faith

also : such a scroll and its case

Examples of mezuzah in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its actors know true tragedy June 19, 2024 For now, some Jews have removed mezuzahs from the doors of their homes and told their kids not to wear yarmulkes in the street. —Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2024

In Nevada, there are Jews who have hidden any signs of their faith, painting over the mezuzahs that hang outside their homes. —David Oliver, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

His explanation of a mezuzah to the handyman preparing to install one outside Larry’s front door is a practical blasphemy. —Wesley Morris Ron Butler Emma Kehlbeck Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024

Other combatants travel with mezuzahs, small boxes containing biblical Scriptures meant to be hung outside Jewish residences, to affix to Palestinian homes. —Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew mĕzūzāh doorpost

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mezuzah

noun

me·​zu·​zah

variants or mezuza

mə-ˈzu̇z-ə 

plural mezuzahs or mezuzas or mezuzot -ˌōt 

: a small scroll of parchment inscribed with two passages from Deuteronomy and the name Shaddai (the Almighty) and placed in a case that is attached to the doorjamb by some Jewish families as a sign and reminder of their faith

also : such a scroll and case