<P> In Karaite Judaism the deuteronomic verse "And you shall write them on the doorposts of your houses and your gates" (Deuteronomy 5: 9; 11: 20) is interpreted to be a metaphor and not as referring to the Rabbanite mezuzah . Thus Karaites do not traditionally use mezuzot, but put up a little plaque in the shape of the two Tables of the Law with the Ten Commandments . In Israel, where they might try not to make other Jews feel uncomfortable, many Karaites make an exception and place a mezuzah on their doorpost as well . The Karaite version of the mezuzah is fixed to the doorways of public buildings and sometimes to private buildings, too . </P> <P> The Samaritans interpret the deuteronomic commandment to mean displaying any select text from the Samaritan version of the five Books of Moses . This can contain a blessing or a particularly holy or uplifting message . In the past they placed a stone plaque inscribed with the Ten Commandments above the house door, some examples dating back to the Byzantine (4th - 7th century) and Early Muslim (7th - 11th century) periods being now shown in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem . Nowadays a Samaritan mezuzah is usually made of either marble, a wooden plate, or a sheet of parchment or high quality paper, on which they inscribe select verses from the Samaritan Torah . This they place either above the house door, or inside the house, in the entrance hall or at a prominent place on a large wall . These mezuzot are found in every Samaritan household as well as in the synagogue . Today some Samaritans would also use a Jewish - style mezuzah case and place inside it a small written Samaritan scroll, i.e. a text from the Samaritan Torah, written in the Samaritan alphabet . The more such mezuzot there are in the house, the better it is considered to be . </P> <P> According to halakha, the mezuzah should be placed on the right side of the door or doorpost, in the upper third of the doorpost (i.e., approximately shoulder height), within approximately 3 inches (8 cm) of the doorway opening . Care should be taken to not tear or damage the parchment or the wording on it, as this will invalidate the mezuzah, which is considered Torah . Generally, halakha requires that mezuzot be affixed within 30 days of moving into a rented house or apartment . This applies to Jews living in the Diaspora (i.e., outside of the Land of Israel). For a purchased home or apartment in the Diaspora, or a residence in Israel (owned or rented), the mezuzah is affixed immediately upon moving in . The reason for this difference is that there is an assumption that when a Jew lives in Israel, Israel shall remain his / her permanent residence, whereas a home in the diaspora is temporary . Mezuzot are very special objects and must be taken care of carefully and according to Jewish laws and traditions . </P> <P> Where the doorway is wide enough, many Ashkenazi Jews tilt the mezuzah so that the top slants toward the room into which the door opens . This is done to accommodate the variant opinions of Rashi and of his grandson, Rabbeinu Tam, as to whether it should be placed vertically (Rashi) or horizontally (Rabbeinu Tam), and also to imply that God and the Torah (which the mezuzah symbolizes) are entering the room . The compromise solution has been suggested by Rabbi Jacob ben Asher . </P>

Where does a mezuzah go on a door