Two passages: Shema (Deut 6:4-9) and V'hayah Im Shamoa (Deut 11:13-21). Both mention the commandment to write God's words on your doorposts.
Question 2
What is written on the back of the mezuzah parchment?
Shaddai — one of God's names — is written on the reverse of the mezuzah parchment. It's visible when the scroll is in its case.
Question 3
In which direction is the mezuzah parchment rolled?
The scroll is rolled from the end (V'hayah) toward the beginning (Shema), so that when someone unrolls it, Shema — the primary declaration — faces them first.
Question 4
Can a mezuzah be written in any Hebrew script?
Ktav Ashurit only — the same sacred script required for tefillin and Torah scrolls. No other script is valid.
Question 5
Who may write a mezuzah?
A sofer stam — a qualified scribe — must write with deliberate intent (lishmah) for the mezuzah's sanctity. Amateur writing, even if technically correct, is invalid.