Mezuzah amulet

This amulet presents a stylized floral design containing a depiction of the dishware of the Temple of Jerusalem and the seven-armed candelabrum (menorah in Hebrew) that was made especially for the Temple. The amulet is curved and arched at the top. It is made of a silver plate worked with a repoussé design and nailed onto a wooden support. The depiction is topped with the Hebrew word Shaddai, one of the names of God. The wooden part to which the silver plate is attached is hollowed out in the middle to hold a handwritten talisman for use as a mezuzah. When hung on a door jamb, the mezuzah protects the home from any misfortune, demons and epidemics.

Lucky charms and amulets are mentioned in the Talmud and were believed capable of influencing the course of events. There are three main categories of ancient amulets: metal amulets on which words and images appear, amulets with writing on parchment or paper that are stored in a special box made of precious metal, and amulets worn in a fabric pouch around the neck. This mezuzah, combined the protective power of the words and images on the silver casing with the talisman on paper or parchment stored inside.