Deuteronomy 11: 18a-20a, says: “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your hearts and in my soul . . . you shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up: end you shall you write them on your doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied . . .”

Ever since Moses spoke these words, the Jewish people have literally placed God’s word on the gates of their cities and on the doorframes of their homes (on doorframes on the entrances to the house and on the doors to each room in the house which is used for living purposes.) The scriptures from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 are written on parchment, rolled up and placed inside a mezuzah, which is a small box made from metal, wood, or ceramic, it is nailed on the right doorpost at a slight angle pointed toward the inside of the house or room. Deuteronomy 6:5, ”love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” is the same scripture that Jesus said was the most important in the Bible.

Throughout the ages, faithful Jews have touched the mezuzah upon entering and exiting buildings, homes and individual rooms. This has the effect of keeping them focused on the Lord, if done sincerely, causes you to consider more deeply the kinds of activities and thoughts in which you engage.