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Doors & Gateways
2009.07.23
On the frame of every door in a Jewish home, a mezuzah is affixed. Inside is a handwritten scroll, with verses from the Torah. The mezuzah protects the home. There are many amazing stories about this. During communism it was illegal. Now we have a campaign to present every Jewish family with one mezuzah. Here a newcomer to our community is attaching his mezuzah.
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On the frame of every door in a Jewish home, a mezuzah is affixed. Inside is a handwritten scroll, with verses from the Torah. The mezuzah protects the home. There are many amazing stories about this. During communism it was illegal. Now we have a campaign to present every Jewish family with one mezuzah. Here a newcomer to our community is attaching his mezuzah.
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(This is not my photo.) This is a doorway in the ritual bath ("mikvah") in Richmond, Virginia. A mikvah is the most important component of any Jewish community. If there is limited money for either a mikvah or a Torah scroll, the Torah scroll must be sold to build a mikvah. Mikvaos are extremely clean and hygienic, and made as beautiful as possible, to encourage women to use them. More information is available here.
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(This is not my photo.) This is a doorway in the ritual bath ("mikvah") in Richmond, Virginia. A mikvah is the most important component of any Jewish community. If there is limited money for either a mikvah or a Torah scroll, the Torah scroll must be sold to build a mikvah. Mikvaos are extremely clean and hygienic, and made as beautiful as possible, to encourage women to use them. More information is available here.
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Door to enter the resting place of the Baal Shem Tov, or B"esht, in Medzhibuzh, Ukraine.
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Door to enter the resting place of the Baal Shem Tov, or B"esht, in Medzhibuzh, Ukraine.
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Near the cemetery in Haditch, Ukraine, a young goat seems to guard the outhouse door!
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Near the cemetery in Haditch, Ukraine, a young goat seems to guard the outhouse door!
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Annipoli, Ukraine. Graves of holy men inside this door. Bars are unfortunately neccessary to prevent raiding.
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Annipoli, Ukraine. Graves of holy men inside this door. Bars are unfortunately neccessary to prevent raiding.
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Gateway to ancient Jewish cemetery in Tchufute Kalei, Crimea, Ukraine. Being in a lush forest, the stones are protected from the elements, and even those that are 500 years old are still readible. However, earthquakes have wreaked their damage, and many stones have toppled over. The top element of the gate lies on the ground just inside the cemetery, on the right.
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Gateway to ancient Jewish cemetery in Tchufute Kalei, Crimea, Ukraine. Being in a lush forest, the stones are protected from the elements, and even those that are 500 years old are still readible. However, earthquakes have wreaked their damage, and many stones have toppled over. The top element of the gate lies on the ground just inside the cemetery, on the right.
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Doors on old ark in synagogue, Tchufute Kalei, Crimea, Ukraine.
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Doors on old ark in synagogue, Tchufute Kalei, Crimea, Ukraine.
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"Knassas" -- old Krymchaki synagogue in the cave city of Tchufute Kalei, Crimea, Ukraine.
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"Knassas" -- old Krymchaki synagogue in the cave city of Tchufute Kalei, Crimea, Ukraine.
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The next 6 photos are in the palace of the Khan in Bakhtchiserai, Crimea, Ukraine.
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The next 6 photos are in the palace of the Khan in Bakhtchiserai, Crimea, Ukraine.
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Modesty screen in the harem had small doors through which to pass objects. The eunuchs, who were dwarves, had their own tiny door as well.
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Modesty screen in the harem had small doors through which to pass objects. The eunuchs, who were dwarves, had their own tiny door as well.
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"Swallow's nest," perched atop a seaside cliff, in Yalta, Crimea, Ukraine, is the symbol of Crimea.
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"Swallow's nest," perched atop a seaside cliff, in Yalta, Crimea, Ukraine, is the symbol of Crimea.
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Entrance to apartment building.
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Entrance to apartment building.
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Same building inside.
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Same building inside.
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Doorway to an office.
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Doorway to an office.
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Men's and women's "rest rooms" (ahem) in a typical courtyard.
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Men's and women's "rest rooms" (ahem) in a typical courtyard.
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Doorway to a courtyard.
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Doorway to a courtyard.
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Colorful gateway seen on a trip.
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Colorful gateway seen on a trip.
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Door to our "seray" or storage shed. Once a "bomzh" (homeless person) camped out there without our knowledge, leaving the remains of his campfire and marijuana!
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Door to our "seray" or storage shed. Once a "bomzh" (homeless person) camped out there without our knowledge, leaving the remains of his campfire and marijuana!
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This Russian laundry sink has a doorway to add logs, to heat the water. It is in our yard. We use the top instead as a barbeque -- in the summer, of course!
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This Russian laundry sink has a doorway to add logs, to heat the water. It is in our yard. We use the top instead as a barbeque -- in the summer, of course!
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Door to tiny guestroom, just past the walnut tree.
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Door to tiny guestroom, just past the walnut tree.
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This was our "guest bathroom shower" when we bought our house! A pan on top collected rainwater. One was to pull a string, opening a hole, and the collected water rinsed one off!!! Enlarge to see the picture on the door. A similar one adorned the adjacent outhouse. They have since been demolished.
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This was our "guest bathroom shower" when we bought our house! A pan on top collected rainwater. One was to pull a string, opening a hole, and the collected water rinsed one off!!! Enlarge to see the picture on the door. A similar one adorned the adjacent outhouse. They have since been demolished.
