I frequently get asked if Gentiles can affix Mezuzahs to their doors. Here is what I answered recently to one such inquiry.
Dear Friend,
This is a question that I get very frequently. It always makes me so happy to hear from people who are not Jewish and want to put up a Mezuzah to honor God.
Generally Judaism recognizes two systems of law for mankind. The basic '7 laws of Noah' apply to all of mankind. The Torah, with its 613 laws, is a special system that God has instituted for the nation of Israel who he chose to be a 'nation of priests and a holy people'.
Just like one would not expect the average person to live up to the same spiritual standards as a priest, so to God does not demand from most people to live up to the extra high standard that he demands from His 'nation of priests'.
The Mezuzah is one of the 613 laws that are were given to the Jewish people in the Torah to help them live up to this standard. Therefore, non-Jews are not in any way obligated to put up a Mezuzah.
If a non Jew wants to voluntarily keep any of the Torah laws in order to attain a closer relationship with God, they are permitted to do so.
In the case of the Mezuzah, the only concern is that you respect the holiness of this article that contains the original name of God in Hebrew. It cannot ever be taken into an unclean place (such as a bathroom for example). And if it ever becomes damaged and needs to be disposed of, it must be taken to a synagogue where they have a box for holy items that need to be disposed of. It will then be buried in a Jewish cemetery.
For this reason, there are some Rabbis who discourage non-Jews from affixing a Mezuzah to their door. But, if you wish to put up a Mezuzah, and you understand that you are taking responsibility to care for a holy object in the proper way, then there is no reason that you cannot purchase and put up a Mezuzah.
Whatever you decide, your desire to do something to come closer to God is certainly a sign that you are on the right track. Keep up the good work.
God Bless,
Aaron Shaffier
Comments
I worked in a store in Scarsdale (Martine’s). They insisted on a mazzuzah on the front door even thought they were not kosher. They said it was because they are from Isreal.
Many people found it offensive only becuase it was not an indication of the people inside nor did the business have any relationship to Judaisim.
I found it to be an offensive gesture to indicate to anyone coming in to that place of business that the interior was somehow like a Jewish home—adhereing to the laws of the Torah.
And it cant be removed now as that would be sacriligious.
Thank you for your wonderful information. I had no Idea about how to dispose of Mezuzah. I asked the Rabbi 2 times for a Mezuzah already and my friends asked me if the Rabbi gave me a Mezuzah. I really wish he told me why he avoided me! Anywa y all goes one day at a time and while at a thrift shop I came along a great menorah just like the one in the temple and i cleaned it up found it to be worth a lot of money and to me a gift from G_d most importantly! so i thing G_d wanted me to have my wonderful Antique Kosher Menorah and gives me what I need.