I have a question for our Jewish DISers.

[Virgo10]

And it would be helpful if you've seen Ben Hur. That movie has been on most of the weekend on one of the stations down here. There's a scene I've always wondered about.

Just outside the door to his house there's a area in the masonry that looks like it has a piece of paper in it. The area has the Star of David on it. During the scene when Esther lies to him about his mother and sister being dead, he goes outside and puts his head on this part of the wall and weeps. Every single time I've seen this movie I've wondered what that is and its significance. Can any one help?

 

[Quinn222]

Not Jewish but I have Jewish friends. It's probably a Mezzuzah. Here is a definition I found on the web:

A mezzuzah is a small container made of wood, plastic or metal. Found inside on a piece of parchment are some of the most important words from the Jewish Torah including the oft-repeated Shema (Hear O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one! Deuteronomy 6v4). The Hebrew letter 'sh' is usually seen on the outside of a mezzuzah representing the 'Sh' in Shema (hear).

A mezzuzah is nailed to the doorpost of a Jewish home. It is customary to touch the mezzuzah on entering the house as a reminder of God's presence there. Sometimes every doorpost in the house has one except the bathroom.

 

[Virgo10]

Wow, thank you so much for the reply. What a great tradition.

 

[MorganLeFey]

Not Jewish but I have Jewish friends. It's probably a Mezzuzah. Here is a definition I found on the web:

A mezzuzah is a small container made of wood, plastic or metal. Found inside on a piece of parchment are some of the most important words from the Jewish Torah including the oft-repeated Shema (Hear O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one! Deuteronomy 6v4). The Hebrew letter 'sh' is usually seen on the outside of a mezzuzah representing the 'Sh' in Shema (hear).

A mezzuzah is nailed to the doorpost of a Jewish home. It is customary to touch the mezzuzah on entering the house as a reminder of God's presence there. Sometimes every doorpost in the house has one except the bathroom.

loved Ben Hur, great movie.

you're right, it's a mezzuzah.


it's not a tradition, it's a commandment. every Jewish home has one on the door.


Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6
Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today.
7
Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest.
8
2 Bind them at your wrist as a sign and let them be as a pendant on your forehead.
9
Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.



mezzuzot are alos symbolic of the lambs' blood smeared on the doors of the Israelites' homes while the Angel of Death killed the first born of the Egyptians, just prior to the Exodus.

 

[Virgo10]

it's not a tradition, it's a commandment. every Jewish home has one on the door.

ACK! Sorry for the wrong term. I had a feeling just as I hit send that that it was a lot more than just a tradition.

Thanks again for all the info.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

ACK! Sorry for the wrong term. I had a feeling just as I hit send that that it was a lot more than just a tradition.

Thanks again for all the info.

You have nothing to be sorry for!

The prayer is one of my favorite Jewish prayers.