May 20, 2006 23:24
18 yrs ago
Hebrew term
mezuzah
Non-PRO
Hebrew to English
Other
Government / Politics
a mezuzah on the white house door
Proposed translations
(English)
5 +3 | mezuzah |
Robert Forstag
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4 +1 | Small case containing inscribed parchment ritually affixed to a doorpost |
judithyf
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Proposed translations
+3
19 mins
Selected
mezuzah
A *mezuzah* is a small oblong metal object that observant Jews affix to the doorposts of their homes in accordance with a Biblical command to do so.
The term should be left untranslated in English
See references.
The term should be left untranslated in English
See references.
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Michel A.
: Indeed, but not only "metal" some are made (the oblong box, I mean) from wood, plastic, stone....
1 hr
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Quite right. Thank you, Michel.
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agree |
Rutie Eckdish
: Most important is not the container but the content: The special parchment with the required Hebrew inscriptions.
3 hrs
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Absolutely. Thank you, Sogifted.
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neutral |
Eynati
: Wood, ceramic, stone ...
11 hrs
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Correct. It need not be metal; it can also be made of wood, ceramic or stone. The main point of my answer, though, is that the word itself not be translated into English. If necessary, its meaning can be explained, parenthetically or otherwise.
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agree |
EGB Translations
5 days
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Thank you, EGB.
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
+1
5 hrs
Small case containing inscribed parchment ritually affixed to a doorpost
Thus the word mezuzah can refer to any of the following:
Simply a doorpost of a permanent door, gate, or arch.
The special parchment with the required Hebrew inscriptions.
The small case or box that typically covers the parchment. (The parchment can be affixed directly to the door, though usually a case is used in order to protect it. It is important to be aware, though, that a case without a valid mezuzah scroll inside cannot be used to fulfill this mitzvah.) The case generally features the Hebrew letter shin (ש) inscribed on its upper exterior. Artistic mezuzah cases are often given as gifts for weddings and other special occasions.
The wording on the mezuzah's parchment is taken from the Shema Yisrael ("Hear O Israel") prayer, similar to the parchments inside Tefillin (phylacteries
Simply a doorpost of a permanent door, gate, or arch.
The special parchment with the required Hebrew inscriptions.
The small case or box that typically covers the parchment. (The parchment can be affixed directly to the door, though usually a case is used in order to protect it. It is important to be aware, though, that a case without a valid mezuzah scroll inside cannot be used to fulfill this mitzvah.) The case generally features the Hebrew letter shin (ש) inscribed on its upper exterior. Artistic mezuzah cases are often given as gifts for weddings and other special occasions.
The wording on the mezuzah's parchment is taken from the Shema Yisrael ("Hear O Israel") prayer, similar to the parchments inside Tefillin (phylacteries
Reference:
Discussion