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1893.47.1

Mezuza from a front door post of a house in Manchester. [DCF Court Team 5/3/2003]

1893.47.1

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Collection type
Object
Description
Mezuza from a front door post of a house in Manchester. [DCF Court Team 5/3/2003]
Cultural groups
English
Person
Maker Unknown Maker
Field collector Mr Rogers
Field collector G.L. Rogers
PRM source Mr Rogers
PRM source G.L. Rogers
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1893
Date collected
Before 1893
Acquisition information
Donated: 1893
Materials and processes
Material Metal, Material Parchment Skin Animal, Process Inscribed
Dimensions
Length: max 73 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1893.47.1
Research and responses

Mezuzah - small folded or rolled parchment inscribed by a qualified calligraphist with scriptural verses (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21) to remind Jews of their obligations toward God. The parchment is placed in a metal, wooden, or glass case so that the word Shaddai ("Almighty") can usually be seen on the back of the parchment. [Encyclopaedia Britannica on line] OED online: Mezuzah: A piece of parchment inscribed on one side with the required Pentateuchal texts and on the other with the divine name Shaddai, enclosed in a container and attached to the doorpost of a Jewish house in fulfilment of religious law.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mezuzah: Mezuzah literally means a 'doorpost' in Hebrew, and refers to one of the 613 commandments in Judaism which requires that a small parchment inscribed with two sections from the Torah's Book of Deuteronomy (6:4-9, 11:13-21) be affixed to each doorpost and gate in a Jewish home, synagogue and business. ... Thus the word mezuzah can refer to any of the following, simply the doorpost of a permanent door, gate or arch; the special parchment with the required Hebrew inscription; the small case or box that typically covers the parchment ... [AP 28/09/2006]

Associated publications
Published in the 'Inventory of Judaica and Hebraica in Oxford Colleges and Museums' on the website of the Oxford Jewish Heritage Commitee at https://www.oxfordjewishheritage.co.uk/projects/judaica-and-relevant-hebraica-in-oxford/89-inventory-of-judaica-and-hebraica (2009); '4) Mezuzah. Accession number: 1893.47.1 A mezuzah. Originally catalogued at the Museum as: "Jewish 'mezuza' in metal case from a front door post in Manchester." Copper case containing a parchment roll, with sliding lid inscribed "Shaddai" and holes for fixing to the doorpost. Given to the Museum by Mr Rogers of Oxford in 1893.' [JC 14 11 2019]

Search terms: Religion, Furniture Dwelling, Insignia, Writing, Box, Religious Object, Amulet, Inscription

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