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Atlas  /  For a fresh start  /  Mezuzah case (no scroll)No. 85
Plate IWest Asia & Middle East · Jewish traditionMezuzah case (no scroll), drawn by Wishlore
Pl. IMezuzah case (no scroll). A plain, empty mezuzah case with no letters on it, on a wooden doorpost. Drawing: Wishlore.
No. 85  ·  For a fresh start  ·  West Asia & Middle East

The mezuzah case

A mezuzah is a handwritten scroll kept in a case on the doorpost of a Jewish home, answering a verse in Deuteronomy. A case on its own, with no scroll, is not a mezuzah. We never sell the scroll.

Earliest record
Deuteronomy 6:9
Source
Deuteronomy 6:9
Region
West Asia & Middle East · Jewish tradition
Wish
For a fresh start
Layers
Record Folk Modern
The story · three layers

The story, in three layers.

Record, Folk and Modern are kept apart, and each one carries its source.

I
Record
Hebrew Bible

On the doorposts

Deuteronomy 6:9 asks that the words of the commandment be written on the doorposts of the house and on its gates. The mezuzah answers that verse.

To verify: Check our wording against the Hebrew text and a standard translation of Deuteronomy 6:9

II
Folk
Jewish law and custom

A reminder, not a charm

A mezuzah is a handwritten scroll, usually kept in a case. Maimonides held that it is a reminder of the commandment, not a magic charm.

To verify: Cite the passage in Maimonides’ own writing

III
Modern
Wishlore, today

A case is not a mezuzah

Shops sell mezuzah cases on their own, such as a clear plastic case from a UK Judaica shop. A case without a properly written scroll is not a mezuzah. We never sell the parchment scroll; if we offer a case, it will be sold as an empty case, with no letters added by us.

Mezuzah case (no scroll)
Deuteronomy 6:9
Story and sources on the reverse
Pl. IIThe story card. Every printed piece carries the story and a code that opens the full source list.
Keep it close

How would you like to keep it?

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In one breath
A reminder, not a charm. Who would you keep it for?