Objects

Mezuzah (Hebrew: door-frame) is a parchment scroll containing two portions of the Torah, including the text of the Shema Yisrael prayer (Hebrew: "Hear O Israel!"). It is placed in a case attached to the right doorpost. Devout Jews touch the mezuzah with their fingers when entering or exiting a home and then bring their fingers to their lips. This gesture serves as a reminder to refrain from sinning. Mezuzah is often regarded as a protective talisman. (A. Unterman, Żydzi. Wiara i życie, Lodz 1989, pp. 240-241; A. Unterman, Encyklopedia tradycji i legend żydowskich, Warsaw 1994, pp. 178–179).

Mezuzah - a box for Torah fragments, hung on the door frame.

Mezuzah from the collection of the Museum in Łowicz has a rectangular shape with two round handles located on the shorter sides. The case is made of clay, covered with a white opaque glaze and decorated with a blue overglaze paint layer: a tree motif with animals underneath – a goat on the left side and two hares on the right side. In the centre of the tree crown, a golden Hebrew letter "shin" (ש) was painted to represent the name of Almighty God (Hebrew: El Shaddai).

The Mezuzah was created by the painter and ceramist Teresa Szałowska (died in 2004), who was creatively and professionally associated with the Museum in Nieborów and Arkadia. In 1981, she reactivated the Manufaktura Majoliki there.