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Symbols—The Mezuzah and the Star of David

When you visit the homes of many Jews, you will find a small metal, wooden, glass, or ceramic case several inches in height called a mezuzah (literally, “doorpost”) fastened to the right doorpost of the front door. Inside the mezuzah is a tiny handwritten parchment scroll (called a klaf) containing two paragraphs from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21) as well as three Hebrew letters that spell one of the names used for God.

The Bible instructs us to “write them [God’s Words] on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:9). As far back as two thousand years ago, Jews have chosen to follow this instruction using the mezuzah.

It is not uncommon for a person to kiss their fingertips and transfer the kiss to the mezuzah by touching it as they pass in and out of the home; others touch the mezuzah first and then kiss their fingers. Many Jews have only one mezuzah in their home, but some have them affixed to the doorway of each bedroom or living area in the house. Many people wear a small mezuzah on a chain around the neck as jewelry.

Like many customs, the fixing of the mezuzah is surrounded by tradition, mysticism, and a pinch of superstition. Some say the letters on the scroll make up an acronym that gives protection to the home. I know of a distinguished symphony conductor who delayed the move into his new house until the local rabbi could come to the home, certify that the scroll inside the mezuzah was proper, accurate, and legitimate, and conduct a formal ceremony at which time the mezuzah was applied to the doorpost. Many people take these things very seriously.

Another symbol often seen in pieces of jewelry is the chai, made up of two Hebrew letters. The word chai means “life,” just as the phrase (and song title), “L’Chaim!” (often used as a toast) means “to life.” In addition, the two letters making up the word chai have a numerical equivalent of eighteen, giving this number a special significance to Jews. Multiples of eighteen dollars are often given as gifts or donations.

The six-pointed star, often called the Star of David, is commonly associated with Jews and Judaism. In Hebrew it is known as the Magen David, which means the “shield of David.” Ironically, this symbol has been associated throughout the centuries not only with Jews, but with Muslims, Christians, and other groups. However, as it came to be used more and more in the design of synagogues built in Europe over three hundred years ago, it became identified as a Jewish symbol. It was so closely identified with Judaism that Nazis forced Jews to wear a yellow Star of David during the years of persecution and incarceration.

Now, the Star of David not only decorates jewelry, gifts, and other Judaica but also adorns the flag of the State of Israel. Jews around the world consider the Star of David a proud symbol of Judaism.