What Is a Mezuzah? What's Actually Inside the Scroll

Every kosher mezuzah contains the same text: two paragraphs from the book of Devarim (Deuteronomy) — Shema (6:4–9) and V'haya im shamo'a (11:13–21). Together, these contain 22 lines and 713 letters.

Every single letter must be written correctly, in order, by hand. A computer-printed scroll is not valid. Photocopies are not valid. The scribe must write it with proper intent (kavanah) using kosher ink and parchment.

The parchment (klaf) is made from the skin of a kosher animal, prepared specifically for use as a mezuzah, tefillin, or Torah scroll. The ink is a special black ink made from a recipe going back centuries. The pen is a quill or reed.

On the back of the scroll, the name 'Sha-dai' is written (one of the names of Hashem) — visible through the window on most mezuzah cases.

Many people buy a beautiful case and assume there's a scroll inside, or assume any scroll will do. In reality, the case is just decoration — and many off-the-shelf 'mezuzot' sold online or in souvenir shops contain printed paper, not real klaf.

A real kosher scroll typically starts at $70 for a Kesher Lechatchila quality, and goes up from there based on the writing style and beauty.

Bring it to a Sofer STaM, or have one come to you. Rabbi Levi can open, inspect, and verify any mezuzah on-site in Miami and let you know exactly what you have. See How to Know If Your Mezuzah Is Still Kosher for the warning signs.