How to find the right Mezuzahs AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Mezuzahs
- Kosher scroll
- The scroll (klaf) must be handwritten on parchment by a qualified scribe (sofer); printed or photocopied paper scrolls are not kosher. Many decorative cases ship with a printed paper insert that does not fulfill the mitzvah.
- Case size to scroll size
- Match the case's inner length to the scroll size; common scroll sizes include 10, 12 and 15 centimeters. A scroll that is folded or crammed into a short case can crack the parchment.
- Weatherproofing
- For exterior doorposts, use a sealed or gasketed case, or wrap the scroll in plastic inside the case. Moisture damages the ink and invalidates the scroll.
- Placement
- Mount on the right doorpost when entering, at the start of the upper third, slanted inward under common Ashkenazi custom. Placement is set by halacha; consult your rabbi for specifics.
What to avoid
- Cases sold with an included paper scroll presented as kosher
- Uncertified scrolls without a known scribe or supervising authority
- Unsealed cases on outdoor doorposts
Questions
Does a mezuzah case come with a kosher scroll?
Usually not; most cases are sold empty or with a non-kosher printed insert, so buy the handwritten scroll separately from a supervised source.
How often should the scroll be checked?
Common practice is to have a scribe check it twice in seven years for fading or cracking.