In the Second Temple Era, the Sh'ma and the V'ahavta were first inscribed on the doorposts of Jewish homes to witness the Covenant. Since then, the mezuzah has evolved into a decorative ritual object containing the scripture, being construed by some as protective more than as an active affirmation.

With this mezuzah, I have returned to the original form of open affirmation by carving the entire Biblical text into the face of a doorpost form using Temple Era script. The process itself, carving each letter into the wood, became ritualistic for me as I could feel my spiritual connection strengthened with each stroke. While the full text is carved on the surface, a traditional kosher klaf has also been placed in a small compartment hollowed in the back of the doorpost.

Research into documented Temple Era stone carvings and artifacts, as well as into Jewish art and artifacts through modern times, has been the conceptual source for the decorative imagery surrounding the text, representing the continuity of the Covenant at the center of our history as a People. This imagery represents creation, continuity and growth through dedication to principle, the path of life, our Covenant with G-d and our wholeness.

At the center of the Second Image (lower image) are two pomegranates serving as a symbol of fertility and continuing rebirth. The pomegranate is also said to have 613 seeds, and is representative of the 613 mitzvot. As a pair, surrounded by a gold circle defining a sacred space representing the Shekina - the female presence of G-d, they contain the seeds of enlightenment and attainment of higher consciousness. The two circles of text around the central image are the words of the Sh'ma, surrounded by wreaths of olive leaves symbolizing a wholeness of love and peace. The lotus flowers in the four corners of this section represent the four elemental powers - the earth in which the flower is rooted, the water surrounding the stalk and nourishing the plant, the air needed to sustain its existence, and the fire of the sun from which its life force is drawn.

The Star of David at the center of the Fourth Image (above right) is two interwoven triangles. The three-sided triangle symbolizes our Covenant with G-d. The number 1 represents G-d; the number 2 represents humanity; and the number 3 represents the joining of these two in the Covenant. The two triangles placed together are a six-sided figure pointing upward and downward, depicting the joining of Heaven and Earth. The resulting six is also the number of harmony, love and truth. The Star is entwined with three figures representing the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, attesting to continuity with our ancestors. In the center is a teth, which is the number nine - the number of universality, completion, tolerance and selfless service, representing the completion of the cycle, as well as the responsibility to respect our place in this world and our connection to our past. On either side of this section is a pot with an eight-sided flower. The number eight means "as above, so below", and holds within it power and strength.

The physical piece is solid maple 6 feet 9 inches (206 centimeters) tall by 11 inches (28 centimeters) wide, carved and then finished with translucent oil and aniline dye stains to retain the organic integrity of the wood doorpost in keeping with the original religious instruction.