mezuzah

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1. Judaism and occasionally ChristianityA piece of parchment inscribed with specific Hebrew verses from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 11:13–21) and attached in a case to the doorpost of a house.

   Lubavitchers, Penansky says, believe mezuzahs need no adornment and simply wrap them in cellophane.

   1988 September 2, Florence Hamlish Levinsohn, “A Special Connection With God”, in Chicago Reader

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   On the other hand, one may feel profoundly moved with the spirit of true piety, love of God and loyalty to his commandments in the performance of a so-called "traditional commandment," like the fastening of a "mezuzah" to the door-post.

   1916, Isaac Husik, A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy

   Slothrop gives him the mandala. He hopes it will work like the mantra that Enzian told him once, mba-kayere (I am passed over), mba-kayere . . . a spell against Marvy tonight, against Tchitcherine. A mezuzah. Safe passage through a bad night. . . .

   1973, Thomas Pynchon, Gravity's Rainbow, 1st US edition, New York: Viking Press, →ISBN, part 3: In the Zone, page 563

   If, for some strange reason, you want to eat the fair fruit on the date of purchase, you buy one that's already flecked, race home, and devour it as soon as you've crossed your threshold and kissed the mezuza.

   1979 February 3, Nancy Walker, “Going Bananas”, in Gay Community News, volume 6, number 27, page 11

   When Manny or either of his parents went through their front door they put a finger on their lips and then to the mezuzah on the door frame.

   2006, Howard Jacobson, Kalooki Nights, Vintage, published 2007, page 20

2. An object of similar function in the Samaritan tradition.