This was found nailed to the door jamb of the entry door on a foreclosed house we are buying. It’s about 3 1/2″x 1/2″ x 1/2″. There is a plug on one end which can be unscrewed. There are holes that allow it to be nailed to a surface, but note that when it is nailed down, the plug can’t be unscrewed. It’s made out of aluminum.
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Can you post pictures that are in focus?
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
That is a Mezuzah. It's something Jewish people put on the entrance of their home. There is a prayer inside. http://www.Judaica-guide.com/mezuzah/
I agree, but I think it's one of those fuzzy Mezuzahs.
10 minutes to correct answer...not too bad.You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
Yes, I was the hero in the office this morning thanks to you guys. There is a Jewish woman across the hall who took it and is going to try to locate the family. (There is a small Jewish population in town--one Synagogue).
It's a mezuzah, which is traditionally nailed at an angle to the door jamb of a Jewish home. Observant Jews entering that house will touch it then touch their fingertips to their lips.
If you don't wish to leave it in place, it would be a respectful gesture to attempt to return it to the previous owners, or take it to the local synogogue.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
foolish men call Justice....
As mentioned, that is a mezuza. Inside is a small piece of parchment with quotes from scripture.
You will likely find one of these on nearly every doorway in the house - or, small holes where one was mounted.
Those things can be quite expensive. If you can find the former owner, forward it to him. If not, the right thing to do is to deliver it to the local synsgogue. Heck, call the local "Chabad" group, tell them what you have, and they'll almost certainly send someone around to collect it.
Now ... what is a mezuza? What does it represent? This is the story ...
After Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the tablets, one of the commandments on them went like this:
"I have given you my Torah, a good doctrine. Speak of it when you lie down and when you rise up. Inscribe it on the doorposts of your homes .... "
The mezuza represents obedience to the 'inscribe it on your doorposts.' a daily reminder of the Commandments.