Mezuzahs on Every Door: Solidarity or Appropriation?
Considering Whether Non-Jews Use Jewish Symbols to Stand Against Antisemitism
The Mezuzah
A mezuzah (plural mezuzot) is a small, sacred scroll containing verses from the Torah, specifically Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 11:13–21, which are central to the Jewish faith. These verses express the core tenets of the belief in one God and the commandment to love and follow God’s ways. The scroll is handwritten by a trained scribe on parchment and rolled up inside a protective case. This case is affixed to the doorposts of Jewish homes and other spaces in accordance with the mitzvah (commandment) from the Torah.
Traditionally, the mezuzah is placed on the right side of the doorpost, angled slightly toward the interior of the home. It serves both as a reminder of God’s presence and as a symbol of the household’s dedication to Jewish practices. Upon entering or leaving, some people touch the mezuzah and then kiss their fingers as a sign of reverence. While it’s most commonly placed on residential doors, many Jewish institutions and even businesses also place mezuzot on their doorways.
Solidarity or Appropriation?
The idea of non-Jews putting up a mezuzah as an act of solidarity with Jews raises…
