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From: teitz@aecom.UUCP (Eliyahu Teitz)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Kosher Mazuza?
Message-ID: <1864@aecom.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 20-Aug-85 13:25:02 EDT
Article-I.D.: aecom.1864
Posted: Tue Aug 20 13:25:02 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 23-Aug-85 07:36:56 EDT
References: <3660@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: Albert Einstein Coll. of Med., NY
Lines: 22

> 
> By the way. I have one question. Exactly what makes a mazuza kosher?
> 

	A mezuza must be written according to certain laws spelled out in
 the Shulchan Aruch ( Code of Jewish Law, ch. 34 [ or somewhere near there ]).
 ( oh, it's in Orach Chaim, the first of 4 sections ). These laws deal with
 the shapes of the letters as well a 
s how to write the words on the parchment.
 Any of a number of problems could arise. There could be a spelling error. Or
 a letter could not be formed properly ( the ink could have rubbed off, or it
 could have cracked ). Also, the words must be written in order. Once one letter is completed no corrections may be made to previous letters. These are but a
 few of the problems with mezuzas.

	When one goes to buy a mezuza one must be careful that the mezuza was
 handwritten and that it is legible. Many of the small mezuzas on the market
 are so small that the chance that all the letters are properly written is
 next to none. A good mezuza could run about $15- $20. Before buying a mezuza
 ask the person selling it to you if you can return it if it is found defective.


				Eliyahu Teitz.