But popular Judaism, like popular Protestantism, uses material objects in its devotional life.
Prayer shawls, yarmulkes, and Torah scrolls form an important part of everyday Jewish life.
The Law requires that a faithful Jew write these words on his or her doorpost, a tradition that has become the mezuzah. Over the years mezuzahs have become art objects, showing both the faithfulness and the good taste of the home's occupants. In the United States, the consumer society has led to a variety of designs, allowing them to be signs of individuality. This mezuzah, painted for a child's home or room, reflects this search for individuality within the tradition. The project's staff bought this mezuzah at a Judaica store in Atlanta.