what is this thing?

[Skittles]

I see it outside a door at my apartment complex, and I saw one on a door on a TV episode

[MrScorpio]

1. It looks like an alarm connector from a removed door.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. It's a Jewish thing, and it's a mazzuza. sp?

In fact, I forget what it symbolizes!

But it IS Jewish. That much I know.

[Skittles]

3. really? COOL!

seriously, I've never seen one, and I cannot describe it well enough to research on the internet!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My daughter is married to a Jewish boy, and they have one on their door frame.

[Skittles]

7. I am zeroing in on "mezuzah"

from Googling "Jewish door ornament"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mezuzah

thanks Peggy!!!

[Arkansas Granny]

5. Hmmm. It looks like one of these wall mounted back scratchers.

[WillParkinson]

6. It looks like some strange sex toy...

Which explains why you're so interested.

[Skittles]

8. I don't keep sex toys outside!!!

[WillParkinson]

9. You don't keep them outside...

Hm. Nah, too easy...even for me.

[GoneOffShore]

10. It is a mezuzah.

link herehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mezuzah

and excerpt

A mezuzah (Hebrew: מְזוּזָה‎ "doorpost"; plural: מְזוּזוֹת mezuzot) is a piece of parchment (often contained in a decorative case) inscribed with specified Hebrew verses from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21). These verses comprise the Jewish prayer "Shema Yisrael", beginning with the phrase: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is One"
A mezuzah is affixed to the doorframe in Jewish homes to fulfill the mitzvah (Biblical commandment) to inscribe the words of the Shema "on the doorposts of your house" (Deuteronomy 6 ). Some interpret Jewish law to require a mezuzah on every doorway in the home apart from bathrooms, and closets too small to qualify as rooms.[1] The parchment is prepared by a qualified scribe (a "sofer stam&quot who has undergone many years of meticulous training, and the verses are written in black indelible ink with a special quill pen. The parchment is then rolled up and placed inside the case.

Not all Jews who put them up are devout but do it as a matter of cultural identity. We have one even though I'm atheist and my wife is a non practicing Jew.

Some mezuzahs can be very elaborate and expensive. Others plain and simple.

[Skittles]

11. I am reading up on it now!

fascinating stuff! First time I've ever seen one - I work nights and pass through an apartment breezeway in the very early hours - I've been studying that fixture for some time - it's very pretty but I could not figure out its purpose

[RebelOne]

12. Yes, it is a Mezuzah. I dated a Jewish guy for 5 years and this was on the door outside.

If you have ever visited a Jewish home, you would know what it is. A Mezuzah is a small case which is placed on the doorpost of Jewish people who follow the tradition. Placing the Mezuzah on the doorpost is among the commandments of God, in which he asks people to remind themselves again and again about the existence of God in their lives, in their heart, and in their minds. Which is why, the Mezuzah is placed on the doorposts, so that the Jews are reminded about God's existence. The Mezuzah is a small case which contains the handwritten scroll with the Shema, which is the passage wherein God commands us to remind us again and again about his presence and commandments. So unlike the common belief, the Mezuzah is not a good luck charm, but it rather signifies the presence of God.

[Denninmi]

14. Well, you could do a lot worse than having God hanging out on your front porch.

Beats some guy trying to sell those annoying coupon discount books any day.

[HopeHoops]

13. Arm-pit flea and tick remover.

[derby378]

15. My little neighborhood used to have quite a few of those

Now my enclave is transitioning from having Jewish neighbors to having Hispanic neighbors.