mezuzah

noun

1. A 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.

   “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.”

   “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. . . .”

   “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.”

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

   “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.”

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