A Sign of Respect

The story of Wyatt Earp and a Jewish symbol.

April 1882. Wyatt Earp–running from the Cochise County law after the Vendetta Ride–is in New Mexico, on his way to Colorado. He is staying with Henry Jaffa, a prominent Jewish businessman in Albuquerque. According to at least one source, Wyatt kissed the mezuzah–a piece of encased parchment with Hebrew verses from the Torah–when entering the house. That’s a sign of reverence often performed by observant Jews. It is a surprising act for a lukewarm Christian like Earp–but probably indicates the respect he had for Jaffa.