A Mezuzah can be described as an object or symbol which allows others to know they are walking into a Jewish person’s home. The Mezuzah is placed on the front doorpost of the home, as well as throughout the home. There are many beautiful cases which can be used.
Inside is the prayer called the Shema which should be said every morning when you rise and every evening when you lie down. Below is the first paragraph to the prayer in transliterated Hebrew and English.
Sh’ma Yisrael Adonai Elohaynu Adonai Echad.
Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.
Barukh Shem k’vod malkhuto l’olam va-ed
Blessed be the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever
V-ahavta et Adonai Elohecha b-chol l’vavcha u-v-chol naf’sh’cha u-v-chol m’odecha.
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
V-hayu ha-d’varim ha-ayleh asher anochi m’tzav’cha ha-yom al l’vavecha.
And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart.
V-shinantam l-vanecha, v-dibarta bam b-shivt’cha b-vaytecha, u-v-lecht’cha ba-derech, u-v-shachb’cha u-v-kumecha.
And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall speak of them
when you sit at home, and when you walk along the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.
U-k’shartam l’ot al yadecha, v-hayu l-totafot bayn aynecha.
And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes.
U-chtavtam al m’zuzot baytecha u-vi-sharecha.
And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
A Mezuzah shows that G-d is always with you and to place a Mezuzah on your doorpost is a Mitzvah (good deed).
The Shema is written by a sofer or scribe on a small piece of parchment paper. To make your Mezuzah Kosher, it must contain this small parchment paper called a Klaf. This sits safely inside the Mezuzah case being protected from the environment and weather.
When you place a Mezuzah on the doorpost of your home, a special blessing is recited called the Hanukkat Ha-Bayit. The Mezuzah should be nailed to the doorpost on the right hand side at an angle. Whenever you enter or leave the home, the custom is to kiss the Mezuzah by kissing your fingers and then touching it.
Mezuzahs can also be placed on every doorpost in the home except the bathroom.