Monday, June 24, 2019

No Mezuzah at McDonald's



I was quite surprised when I first learnt that the franchise owner of McDonald's chain in Israel was Omri Padan. The guy was known as an extreme anti-religious, left-oriented political activist. That could theoretically mean that some 25%-30% of potential customers would not go to McDonald's eateries.

the very first McD  , opened at Ayalon Mall ,Ramat-Gan in 1993

 McD's in my hometown -on  ground floor of  building 

But what do I know? The triangle of business, religion, politics is indeed a very tricky one, and yet it seems Padan (now Dr Padan) has successfully played his cards. McDonald's Israel is an empire.

Anyway, I like the McDonald's concept (all of it - food, system, social experience).
What I do not like when I happen to be there, is the fact that there's no 'mezuzah' sitting on the entrance doorpost . Almost every house and shop in this country has a 'mezuzah' affixed to its doorpost. It's a tradition, a nice  one, if you ask me.


copper made mezuzah on the local Supermarkets's doorpost

A 'mezuzah' is a case, a holder (usually decorative) containing a piece of parchment with  hand-written biblical verses on it. It's supposed to protect and bless  the house and its people. 


case and scroll 

The case comes in various materials:  plastic, wood, metal, ceramics, silver, porcelain - the two last mentioned being more expensive. Everything goes.


ceramics and metal cases

metal cases (aluminium, bronze, copper)

The most important part, though, is the scroll to be placed within the case. 
It must be hand-calligraphed with verses from Deuteronomy that start with "Hear o Israel, the Lord our God,  the Lord is One".

A genuine scroll is usually not sold at a souvenir shop but at a judaica one, and could be quite expensive.
After a while (several years) it has to be checked for faded or deleted letters, spot or crease;if this is found,  the scroll will be considered faulty and will have to be replaced.

scrolls of different sizes

Sometimes, a 'mezuzah' gets stolen; the thieves are looking for authentic, high quality scrolls. Because of that, there are buildings where the 'mezuzah' is placed on the inner side of the entrance door.(In a house or office there's a 'mezuzah' on every door - except bathroom and toilets).


ceramics - inner room

metal- utility room

wood - balcony

As someone has remarked:"if it can't even protect itself from thieves, it can't protect the house either"   Food for thought. Perhaps it was a faulty mezuzah.


55 comments:

  1. Ni doubt the mezuzah has great significance and meaning for religious people, but I suspect that for many it is simply tradition, rather like a Christmas tree in a home where no one goes to church or in fact is a believer.

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    1. Right. For many it's a tradition. One doesn't have to be religious to like a prayer of blessing and protection.

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    2. You are quite correct. Last year on Vancouver Island, I found the feather of a Northern Flicker, and a local First Nations couple explained to me that in their culture, to find the feather of that species meant "blessings on your journey." Quite lovely I thought. And that from an atheist!

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    3. See?! The idea of blessing appeals even to an atheist. It is lovely to get a blessing and to give one.
      Culture, tradition, can be so enriching!

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  2. How interesting! I did not know about this and appreciate your post.

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    1. Thank you. I'm glad you find my post interesting and informative.

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    1. As I've said, I don't like it that McDonald's has no mezuzah on its doorpost, but I have no dilemma about entering the eatery. I always carry in my purse some sort of prayer for blessing and protection.

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  4. I had to Google what a mezuzah was because I'd never heard of it before.

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    1. You've done the right thing. That's the great thing about Google - it opens our eyes and minds, broadens our horizon.
      A mezuzah is a jewish symbol.

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  5. I had not heard of this either. Very interesting. Thanks.

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    1. Thanks.
      I guess non-religious Jews who live outside Israel are reluctant to affix a mezuzah to the doorpost as it is a public declaration of identity and belief. People don't like to be marked. So, that's how it happens that you don't know about it.

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    2. Hi Duta: There is a very large religious community in Ontario, especially in the Toronto area, and there is always a mezuzah on the door. Men routinely wear yamulkes too. There is also a substantial community of Hassidic Jews and I think that they are a little strange to even some of the less religious Jews.

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    3. Thanks, David, for the information. For religious Jews a mezuzah is very important as its scroll emphasizes the Oneness of God and the duty to follow His teachings.

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  6. Thank you Duta, I've enjoyed learning something new via your post. I like your style.

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    1. You're welcome, Sue.
      At least, the McDonald's chain is not new. In the Middle East it's from 1993(our branch in Ayalom mall -picture above).

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  7. Your country really is extremely religious. I've watched one of your films The Cakemaker last year and was shocked with all the religious rules the character had to respect in order to keep her cakeshop opened. In one scene she gets an order for more than 20 cakes and it gets cancelled because she lost the kosher sign on the doors. It almost cost her the shop.
    McDonalds is not overly popular in my country, they have shops here, but people prefer domestic fast food, most of which you probably tried when you were in Belgrade :)

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    1. You're referring to the heavy subject of 'kosher' and 'kashrut'.These are imposed upon us by the blackmailing ultra orthodox parties in the coalition.
      It's causing the country's disintegration and Netaniahu is going to lose his chair because of his constant surrender to these orthodox circles.

      Belgrade's McDonald's was quite full of customers. In Crete, on the other hand, when I asked about the nearest McD, I was told "go look for some real food, lady". I explained that at McD the food comes with its nutritional values(calories and fat) on the packaging, and that's important to me. So, the guy took the trouble to show me the way.

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  8. This post was interesting. I did not know about this religious tradition. I always learn something when I visit your blog.

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    1. I'm glad you think so. I try to write about things that might sparkle interest in readers. Customs and traditions usually fall into this category.

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  9. Nice blogpost and photos. A mezuzah is a beautiful daily reminder (and a public declaration of Jewish identity and faith). I think for it's blessing it is necessary to find time to study the blessing and to live with it.

    I love tho see the bronze mezoeza. Is there also a link between the mezoeza and Tehillim Chapter 121 (The Eternal is your guardian; the Eternal is your shade upon the right hand).

    Some people touch the mezoeza with there hand before come in. Why? Don't they have faith without feeling the mezoeza?

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    1. By touching the mezuzah, one confirms his belief in God and in His teachings for living. It's a spiritual ritual and you can practice it even if you're not jewish.

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  10. I learned something new today. I had never heard of mezuzah before. Thank you for sharing this.

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    1. Well, it's never late to learn something new.The mezuzah is actually a spiritual tool to be touched as you go in and out of the house. I suppose it could be replaced by your own prayer or symbol.

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  11. I've only even been a McDonald's customer two, at the most, three times in my life. Just my own personal choice...same applies to KFC...Kentucky Fried Chicken and other similar franchises/businesses.

    My lack of patronage has made no difference to their profits! :)

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    1. Well, these fast food establishments, whether we like them or not, do have their place and cover a certain need. We can't ignore their popularity.

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  12. I knew about mezuzah, I think it is really beautiful tool, we as catholics write important for us letters on the front doors each New Year.Have a lovely week☺

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    1. The New Year door letter sounds lovely; it probably contains a blessing of the house and its people for the upcoming year.
      I'm all for direct connection to the power beyond that can help and guide - writing my own prayer and wish.

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  13. This is fascinating, Duta. I always new the term and had seen a mazuzah but never knew exactly what it was or its purpose. The ones you show look quite beautiful. It's a wonderful tradition, grounded in faith. I appreciate ritual; this one seems very meaningful.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words.
      I do like this tradition, and it is meaningful to me as I'm used to it from childhood.

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  14. I've never heard of mezuzah before. They look pretty and sound like a very important tradition.

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    1. The displayed cases are not of the expensive kind, but decent -looking and fulfill their function of 'housing' the scroll.

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  15. It's so interesting to read and learn about new things on your blog. The only thing I ever got from McDonald's is their latte, which is excellent, at least here in California.

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    1. Yes, perhaps in California. In my country, their dairy section is not to my taste.

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  16. Thanks Duta for the explanation, our neighbors have a mezuzah on their apt door; the husband is of the Jewish faith and his wife is Roman Catholic. They celebrate both religions which is very nice to see. Perhaps the McDonald's owner should be politely requested to have one displayed,especially for its significance. Thanks for your recent comments on our travels and I am happy you enjoy them.

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    1. I like that about your neighbors. After all the mezuzah is more of a spiritual tool rather than a religious one; so, it fits any faith and tradition. I suppose, one could even write his own blessing and insert it into the case.

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  17. nice article my friend..
    please visit my blog too

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  18. Oh that is so interesting I love the idea and I love the look of the mezuzah Especially the ceramic and the wooden one Very pretty

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    1. The more I think of it, the more I like the idea too. We , humans, always want us and our house to feel blessed and protected. Here's something that helps us with that.

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  19. I had never understood was a mezuzah was and its purpose. Thanks for the info.

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    1. It appears you're not the only one. I hope my post gave you the right insight into the matter.

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  20. No religious signs are allowed (and nobody would put them either) whatever the religion is. All catholic schools had to remove their Jesus on the cross because there are children of other religions. I think religion is a private thing and has nothing to do in public life, or in politic. I don't know what religion our prime minister is. I suppose catholic because whole Belgium is catholic. Nobody ever talks about religion.

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    1. I can see and even understand the reason behind the ban of religious symbols. We are a country where religious circles are very dominant both in private and public life.

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    2. It's a part of us. Why hide it?

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  21. Thank you for the information about what a mezuzah is and its purpose. It seems like such a proactive, yet charming, way of adding a layer of protection to homes and businesses. Good post!

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    1. Thank you. It is indeed, as you've put it, a charming, additional layer of protection to homes and businesses.

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  22. Thanks for sharing this information, DUTA. Unfortunately, in the US, something like this would be a bad idea for a business...the business could (and would) be boycotted by many.

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    1. Yes. I suppose it would be a bad idea in any country outside Israel inclusive the USA.

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  23. That's really interesting information, and the religious symbolism of protection of the mezuzah is quite wonderful. I can imagine opening one up to see the beauty of the scrolls. Thanks for sharing such a meaningful post. Hugs, RO

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    1. The scroll, is hand-written by an expert scribe.There are special calligraphy and paper cutting workshops where one learns a judaica profession which is considered sacred.

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  24. I guess the ban covers the public places and institutions, not the private houses. But the general atmosphere usually dictates the whole scene.

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  25. "After a while (several years) it has to be checked for faded or deleted letters, spot or crease;if this is found, the scroll will be considered faulty and will have to be replaced."

    There is a profound message in this. We must study the Word continually to be certain we have not let it fade or blur or be lost in any way.

    I think there should be a special prayer for mezuzah thieves.

    Something like:

    May the blessings of God pursue and overtake you. May you know Him and He you. For a thousand generations (and then more) may the Lord be with your family and plant the words of this mezuzah in you like the seed of a great tree.

    Then, everyone who steals a mezuzah would think about it deeply...eventually!

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    1. I totally agree with your words. I particularly like the prayer for the mezuzah thieves. Great original suggestion! Thanks, Sandy.

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