Mazuzah text and specifications

In my Mazuzoth, no attempt is made to comply with the requirements of Rabbinic Judaism. The world is filled with kosher Mazuzoth, many of which are designed by excellent artists. I am not called to create more such art.

Rather, these Mazuzoth are meant to display the text as extensively as possible, in a setting which is simple yet dignified. The text is not hand-written, but printed on the finest paper I could obtain (Crane's 100% rag, which should never discolor).

The text to include in both T'fillin and Mazuzoth was decided, arbitrarily but not necessarily capriciously, by Rabbinic consensus at least 2,000 years ago. There are 4 passages in T'fillin:

 

Exodus 13:1-10(Kadesh li kal b’chor)
Exodus 13:11-16(V’hayah ki y’viakha)
Deuteronomy 6:4-9(Sh’ma & v’ahavtah)
Deuteronomy 11:13-21(V’hayah im shamoah)

 

Traditional Mazuzoth do not contain the first 2 passages (i.e., from Exodus), only the last 2 (i.e., from Deuteronomy).

My Mazuzoth sometimes contain all 4, and, in some instances, even a 5th, namely Numbers 15:37-41 (the commandment to put "fringes" on the corners of the garment). Remember, it's never been clear which passages G-d commanded Moses to exalt in this way.

If you order a Mazuzah, you can decide what passages you want included. If you do not specify, I will include all 4 of the above passages.

 

Hebrew text

Following is the text of the 4 passages:

 

 

Here's the English translation

(the verses which give rise to Mazuzah and T'fillin are emphasized):

 

Exodus 13:1-10


1. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2. Sanctify unto Me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.

3. And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

4. This day came ye out in the month Abib.

5. And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which He sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.

6. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD.

7. Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.

8. And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.

9. And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.

10. Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year.

 

Exodus 13:11-16


11. And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee,

12. That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the womb, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD's.

13. And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.

14. And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

15. And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.

16. And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes:   for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.

 

Deuteronomy 6:4-9


4. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

5. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

6. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

7. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

8. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

9. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

 

Deuteronomy 11:13-21


13. And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul,

14. That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the former rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.

15. And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be satisfied.

16. Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;

17. And then the LORD's wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.

18. Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes.

19. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

20. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:

21. That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.

 

The following is the passage from the book of Numbers which describes Tzitzis, not ordinarily included in either Mazuzah or T'fillin. Some of my Mazuzoth, however, have this passage included, because it exhorts people, in a similar fashion, to remember the Commandments of G-d:

 

Numbers 15:37-41

37. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

38. Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a thread of blue:

39. And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go astray:

40. That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

41. I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God.

 

Ordering Info


As explained above, I have no fixed models, and there are a large variety of designs and prices. Therefore, if you are interested in obtaining either a door or watch Mazuzah, please start by emailing me with your request (kb@Ark-Of-Salvation.org). If I can make what you want, for an agreeable price, I will do so.

 

If you are interested in the LORD's Jewish plan for world peace in a non-Jewish world, read Whoever You Thought You Were...You're A Jew!   Information about this highly-aclaimed book may be found at the Ark-Of-Salvation web site.