736 PROCHEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. VOL. XXXIV. 
152. Mrzran.—Manuscript, inscribed with Psalm Ixvii in form 
of the candlestick (menorah), the Decalogue, the names of the plan- 
ets and zodiac, with the names of God and of angels, and illuminated 
with the “ Shield of David,” the crowns of the Law, the priesthood, 
and the kingdom. Height, 144 inches; width, 122 inches. (Cat. 
No. 8685, U.S.N.M.) 
Lent by Hadji Ephraim Benguiat. 
153. Mizran.—Manuscript, inscribed with Psalm Ixvii and prayers 
and illuminated in colors. Height, 185 inches; width, 10 inches. 
(Cat. No. 3684, U.S.N.M.) 
Lent by Hadji Ephraim Benguiat. 
154. Mizran.—Manuscript, inscribed with various names of God 
and prayers. Height, 113 inches; width 122 inches. (Cat. No. 
5686, U.S.N.M.) 
Lent by Hadji Ephraim Benguiat. 
155. Mizran.—Print on cardboard. (Cat. No. 154417, U.S.N.M.) 
156. Mizran.—Panel of cream-colored silk, embroidered with the 
figures of Abraham and Isaac, and Biblical passages. Height, 154 
inches; width, 204 inches. (Cat. No. 4560, U.S.N.M.) 
Lent by Hadji Ephraim Benguiat. 
157. Darom, that is, “Sourn.”—Panel of cream-colored silk, em- 
broidered with the figures of Joseph and Phineas (as the representa- 
tives of chastity, Genesis xxxix, and Numbers xxv). Height, 154 
inches; width, 204 inches. (Cat. No. 4561, U.S.N.M.) 
Lent by Hadji Ephraim Benguiat. 
158. MezuzaAn.—The mezuzah consists of the passages Deuteron- 
omy vi, 4-9, and x1, 13-21, written on parchment in the same manner 
as the Torah scroll and the phylacteries, and inserted in a wooden 
or metal case or glass tube. On the outer side is written the Hebrew 
name of God, Shaddai, “Almighty,’ and a small opening is left in 
the case opposite this word. The case is fastened in a slanting posi- 
tion to the right-hand side of the doorpost (hence its name, mezuzah, 
which means “ doorpost”’), in comphance with the words: “ And thou 
shalt write them (the words of the Lord) on the doorposts of thy 
house and within the gates” (Deuteronomy vi, 9; x1, 20). Pious Jews 
touch and kiss the mezuzah as they pass through the door. In the 
Orient the entire Decalogue enclosed in a tin case is sometimes nailed 
to the doorway. Some people attribute a protective power, espe- 
cially in warding off evil spirits, to the mezuzah. ‘The custom has 
been widely adopted by other peoples of the East, particularly by 
Mohammedans, who write passages from the Koran over the doors 
and windows of their homes. (Plate CI, fig. 1, mezuzah, encased in 
a quill; fig. 2, mezuzah in a tin case; fig. 8, mezuzah in a glass tube; 
fig. 4, mezuzah unfolded. (Cat. No. 154584, U.S.N.M.) 
Lent by Hadji Ephraim Benguiat. 
