Affixed to the doorpost of Jewish homes, the mezuzah contains a parchment with the words of the Shema
(“Hear, O Israel”), considered by some as the most essential of Jewish prayers
The scrolled motifs that adorn this mezuzah case were inspired by the binding of a bible which is now in the Israel Museum collection. Made of cut silver, the lace-like binding was made in 17th-century Augsburg, Germany – at the time a center of silver production.
