Introduction
Periodically, it is necessary to remove the mezuzot from their places and send them to a ‘Sofer STaM’ (scribe trained in the laws of writing scrolls) in order to verify their validity. Just like a car that needs to undergo a ‘test’ every year…
The scribe ensures that the parchment is in good condition – not damp or black, all the letters remain intact – no letter ‘touches’ another and has not lost its original form, and more.
In general, it is necessary to check the mezuzot of the house every three and a half years, but if it is a mezuzah located in a place where there is a higher likelihood it will get damaged – such as a mezuzah standing in the sun, or affixed to a wall with humidity – it should be checked once a year.
However, it is also desirable to check ‘secure’ mezuzot once a year, during the month of Elul. Also, when there is trouble, a problem, or a sick person, it is customary to check the mezuzot.
How do you send the mezuzot for checking?
For checking, only send the mezuzah parchment itself and not the ‘case’.
The mezuzah parchment should be gently and carefully removed from the ‘case’, without damaging the parchment itself.
The mezuzot should be sent for checking only to places that are known to be trustworthy and God-fearing. Chabad houses scattered across the country are known for their trustworthiness, they will be happy to assist you and deliver the mezuzot for checking on your behalf.
There is no need to precisely mark from which room in the house each mezuzah comes.
- During the time that the mezuzot are being sent for inspection, at least one mezuzah should be left at the entrance of the house or one of the bedrooms, and after they return from the check, this mezuzah should also be sent.
After the inspection
Did the scribe say everything is in order? Did they need to make a few corrections and now the mezuzot are valid and beautiful? Excellent!
When returning the mezuzot to their place, you should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.”
