As part of Crew 180’s trip to the Caribbean islands of Trinidad, Tobago, and Curacao in the summer of 2003, we visited, along with our host Scouts in Curacao, the Mikvé Israel Emmanuel Synagogue in Willemstad.  This synagogue, dedicated in 1732, is the home of the continuously operating Jewish congregation in the Western Hemisphere (since 1651).  While there, the leaders of our host Scouts, realizing that Crew 180 is chartered to a synagogue, purchased a mezuza in the Curacao synagogue gift shop for use to present to Congregation Shaarey Zedek, our chartered partner.  On June 1, 2004, this mezuza was affixed to the door at the northern entrance to the Shaarey Zedek social hall.  Below is an explanation of the placement of this mezuzah by Michael Rubner, President of Congregation Shaarey Zedek.

“We thought that it would be most fitting to place the Mezuza at the entrance to the one place in the Shaarey Zedek that has been the regular meeting site for the Troop, and we thought that it would also be most appropriate to invite the members of the Troop and their leaders to be present at this brief ceremony as a token of our appreciation for, and in celebration of the very close relationship that we have had over the decades with Troop 180.

Briefly, the Mezuza is a piece of parchment inscribed with twenty-two lines from the book of Deuteronomy (Chapter 6, verses 4-9).  The parchment that is used by Orthodox Jews must come from the skin of a kosher animal, usually a lamb or goat.  It is rolled up, inserted in a case, and attached to the doorpost.  The affixing of the Mezuza on the doorposts of every Jewish home ( or customarily any place of Jewish dwelling, social gathering, or study) is mandated in the Bible: "And thou shalt write them (the commandments) upon the doorposts of thy house and upon thy gates." (Deuteronomy, Chapter 6, verse 9).  The Mezuza serves two purposes: it is a reminder of God's laws and a symbol of a Jew's loyalty to the Jewish people.

"Mezuza" actually means "doorpost."  The parchment and the receptacle in which it is placed have become so closely identified with the doorpost that both the parchment and the parchment-receptacle unit have become known by the same name.

The passage written on the Mezuza (Deuteronomy, Chapter 6, verses 4-9) begins with the word shema, "hear" in Hebrew.  The full verse is "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One."  This is one of the most important and frequently recited verses in every religious service, the call to God that is the hallmark of Judaism.

The parchment is rolled up and in inserted in a wooden or metal container in order to protect the writing.  In order to fulfill its purpose to serve as a reminder for Jews to be aware and to reach up towards God, the Mezuza is always affixed to the upper one-third (eye level) of the right doorpost of the house and the rooms in it.  It is attached (with small , thin nails) in a slanting position (about a thirty degree angle), with the top pointing toward the interior of the home or the room.

It is a Jewish tradition to kiss a holy object as a gesture of reverence.  Many Jews, especially Orthodox, follow the tradition of touching the Mezuza with the fingertips, kissing them, and reciting, "May God protect my going out and coming in, now and forever."  As Rabbi Baroff affixes the Mezuza on Tuesday, he will recite the following prayer: " Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, Who has sanctified us by your commandments and commanded us to affix a Mezuza."

"We are looking forward to celebrating this very special occasion with Troop 180."

Last Updated: July 07, 2004