Growing up in the glamorous city of Los Angeles, I was enchanted by my parents' unique passion for the sacred Mitvah of Mezuzah. Their home boasted the grandest Mezuzah in town, lovingly inspected by a scribe who came from the holy city of Yerushalayim to inspect it regularly. Amidst all the possessions in their house, the Mezuzah stood out, radiating a special significance that left a profound imprint on my heart. I found myself joyfully assisting women in acquiring new Mezuzahs and participating in the cherished Mitzvah of hanging them with utmost care. When my friends had a problem with health in their family, I would recommend they have their Mezuzahs checked. Little did I know that my admiration for scribes would eventually lead me to marry one!
The world of Mezuzahs presents an array of sizes, starting from tiny 2-and-a-half-inch (6 cm), but alas, these minuscule productions lack practicality when it comes to kashrut. The petite dimensions expose their letters to potential vulnerabilities, leading to halachic uncertainties about their validity. Writing a kosher Mezuzah becomes an arduous task for the Sofer when dealing with such diminutive letters, and many opt to abstain from writing Mezuzahs that are 4 inches (10 cm) or smaller.
In the realm of Chabad homes and Chabad houses, the favored choice is the majestic 8-inch (20 cm) Mezuzah, boasting a grand presence. Anything larger requires a custom order from a seasoned Sofer. Remarkably, my beloved parents - may they be blessed with longevity and good health - proudly display two 32 cm Mezuzas!
Recently, a momentous event unfolded in a new Chabad house in Germany, as they affixed the grandest Mezuzah the world has ever seen, boasting the height of a large Sefer Torah.
Indeed, a Mezuzah's magnificence extends far beyond its physical dimensions. Its true splendor emanates from the devoted hands of a skilled and learned Sofer who infuses it with holiness and meaning, transforming it into a holy article of protection and blessings for Jews everywhere.
May every Mezuzah we encounter stir our souls, reminding us of the divine presence and the unlimited love and protection that embraces us all.
Yehudit Wolffe founded Bais Chana of California with the blessings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1990. She and her husband founded the new STAM CENTER LA to educate, supply and transform the West Coast of the USA with a passionate love for kosher Mezuzahs, Tefillin and Sifrei Torah. Her husband Sofer Avrohom Dovid Wolffe can be reached at: www.kosherSofer.com or at SoferHelp@gmail.com.