mezuzah

noun

me·​zu·​zah mə-ˈzu̇-zə How to pronounce mezuzah (audio)
variants or mezuza
plural mezuzahs or mezuzas or mezuzot mə-ˈzu̇-ˌzōt How to pronounce mezuzah (audio)
: 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 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 Some have sought her advice about the safety of keeping their mezuzahs publicly displayed on their doorposts and about discussing Israel with their non-Jewish relatives. Jacob Gurvis, Sun Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2024 Rosenthal has also removed mezuzahs from her property. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2023 Price at time of publish: $20 A mezuzah is a small, decorative case placed in Jewish homes that shows that Jews live there. Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2023 The family had mezuzahs, which are pieces of parchment inscribed with Hebrew verse from the Torah, on their doors, police said. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 26 Oct. 2023 His most popular TikTok videos are on subjects such as how to put on a prayer shawl or hang up a mezuzah. Ingrid Ahlgren, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 July 2023 The overwhelming majority of post-World War II Soviet Jews were not observant and lacked access to religious objects, like mezuzahs, that mark Jewish spaces. Menachem Wecker, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2023 Rabbi Ben Freed of Keneseth Israel Congregation affixed a mezuzah to the entrance of the JCC – as is customary over the entrances to Jewish homes – before leading the group in the Shehecheyanu, a prayer recited to celebrate first time something happens, such as a grand opening of a new building. Ben Tobin, The Courier-Journal, 11 Mar. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mezuzah.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew mĕzūzāh doorpost

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mezuzah was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near mezuzah

Cite this Entry

“Mezuzah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mezuzah. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mezuzah

noun
me·​zu·​zah
variants or mezuza
plural mezuzahs or mezuzas or mezuzot -ˌōt How to pronounce mezuzah (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on mezuzah

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