One of the subtlest details of life here is the mezuzah. Mezuzah literally means "doorpost," but usually it refers to the small box attached to doorjambs, which contains a copy of two passages from Deuteronomy. Naturally there are rules regarding how often they should be checked and replaced, and who is qualified to do it (Not being Jewish, I don't think I'm even really supposed to touch them).



We have one for every room in our apartment, including the outer door and also on the doorway of our building. There is one in every classroom at the ulpan. They're in every storefront in the malls, at the grocery store, in hair salons, at the bank, in bars and clubs. I can't quite get over the fact that even the seediest bars and some of the most counter-culture places (think: neo-goth or x-rated) have them on their doorways. Maybe they've become more a cultural symbol than a religious one; regardless, the irony gets me every time.



Although mezuzahs hang quietly on nearly every doorway, both inside and out, in both private spaces and public spaces (with the exception of bathrooms and storage rooms), they're pretty easy to ignore. I always register them in my peripheral vision; they're something that flashes by en route to somewhere else. Usually just above (my) eye level, most are fairly small, usually 6"-8" long.

Mezuzahs are a fascinating commentary on the way spaces are perceived -- which are considered kosher and "clean" (with mezuzah), and which ones are considered to be "dirty" or insignificant (without mezuzah). Sometimes mezuzahs and doorposts have a residue from many hands running across them in deference to the Torah and the bit of scripture they contain. I suppose it's not unlike a Catholic crossing themselves as they pass an image of Mary or the cross. More than once, at the mall, I've seen people kiss their hand, then touch the mezuzah as they leave a store.



It's fascinating to be reminded that for much of the world doorways are significant things, and ideas about "clean" and "dirty" spaces vary greatly. Check out some interesting (although more Asia-centric) observations on Jan Chipchase's blog, here, here, and here.