Mezuzah Questions Archives - Mezuzah Maven https://mezuzahmaven.org Thu, 12 Dec 2024 21:27:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.13 https://mezuzahmaven.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/cropped-QCovers-e1637775211691-32x32.png Mezuzah Questions Archives - Mezuzah Maven https://mezuzahmaven.org 32 32 Mezuzah in Antisemitic Neighborhood https://mezuzahmaven.org/mezuzah-in-antisemitic-neighborhood/ Thu, 12 Dec 2024 21:27:21 +0000 https://mezuzahmaven.org/?p=3951 See if you can conceal the mezuzah somehow. For example, it is possible to order a mezuzah that looks like a door-bell.

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]]> See if you can conceal the mezuzah somehow. For example, it is possible to order a mezuzah that looks like a door-bell.

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]]> When do I put up the Mezuzot in my new home? https://mezuzahmaven.org/when-do-i-put-up-the-mezuzot-in-my-new-home/ Thu, 10 Jun 2021 19:52:58 +0000 https://mezuzahmaven.org/?p=3034 The post When do I put up the Mezuzot in my new home? appeared first on Mezuzah Maven.

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The mitzvah of Mezuzah applies to one who lives in a house. The fact that you now own (or are renting) a new house does not obligate you yet. Hence, you should wait until you enter the house to live there, and right at that point is the ideal time to install the Mezuzot, or the sooner the better. It is not necessary for the rest of the family to be there when you install the Mezuzot, so if they cannot be there then, it is preferable not to wait. However, it adds to beauty of the mitzvah if you can arrange for the family to be present when you arrive.[1]

(See also question “Affixing mezuzah before installation of doors.”)

[1] Agur B’Ohalecha 2:11; with additions as heard from the author. Compiled by Shmuel Kraines.

 

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]]> Hallway Leading to Bathroom https://mezuzahmaven.org/hallway-leading-to-bathroom/ Thu, 10 Jun 2021 12:32:48 +0000 https://mezuzahmaven.org/?p=3024 The bathroom does not need a doorway, as you correctly presume, and accordingly, the corridor leading into it does not require one either. It is considered “the corridor to the bathroom,” and it is not associated with the living room.[A]Agur B’Ohalecha 19:12-14, based on Chazon Ish. However, if the corridor also leads into another room […]

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]]> The bathroom does not need a doorway, as you correctly presume, and accordingly, the corridor leading into it does not require one either. It is considered “the corridor to the bathroom,” and it is not associated with the living room.[A]Agur B’Ohalecha 19:12-14, based on Chazon Ish.

However, if the corridor also leads into another room other than the bathroom, and that room requires a Mezuzah, so does the corridor. In addition, if one uses the corridor for storage, e.g., if he has there a towel closet, the corridor needs a Mezuzah in its own right. Nevertheless, the doorway to the bathroom is exempt.[B]Heard from author of Agur B’ohalecha. Compiled by Shmuel Kraines.

Sketches

Sketches
↑A Agur B’Ohalecha 19:12-14, based on Chazon Ish.
↑B Heard from author of Agur B’ohalecha. Compiled by Shmuel Kraines.

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]]> Is it ever too late to put up a Mezuzah? https://mezuzahmaven.org/is-it-ever-too-late-to-put-up-a-mezuzah/ Thu, 10 Jun 2021 12:03:08 +0000 https://mezuzahmaven.org/?p=3020 No, “it’s never too late!” That being said, one should install them as soon as possible, just like any other mitzvah that should be performed at the first opportunity.[A]See Agur B’Ohalechah 34:44 Sketches[+] Sketches ↑A See Agur B’Ohalechah 34:44

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]]> No, “it’s never too late!” That being said, one should install them as soon as possible, just like any other mitzvah that should be performed at the first opportunity.[A]See Agur B’Ohalechah 34:44

Sketches

Sketches
↑A See Agur B’Ohalechah 34:44

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]]> Does a tent need a Mezuzah? https://mezuzahmaven.org/does-a-tent-need-a-mezuzah/ Wed, 26 May 2021 11:40:55 +0000 https://mezuzahmaven.org/?p=2886 You are correct that camping tents are exempt from Mezuzah placement. This is because the Torah writes to place Mezuzot on the doorways of one’s “house.” As strong and well-furnished as your camping tent may be, and though you may live in it for a month at a time with facilities in the area, it […]

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]]> You are correct that camping tents are exempt from Mezuzah placement. This is because the Torah writes to place Mezuzot on the doorways of one’s “house.” As strong and well-furnished as your camping tent may be, and though you may live in it for a month at a time with facilities in the area, it does not provide sufficient shelter for people to live in it permanently, and it thus cannot considered a “house.”[1]

[1] Rambam Hilchos Berachos 11:2. This Q & A was compiled by Shmuel Kraines, as heard from the author of Agur B’Ohalecha.

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]]> Does an elevator need a mezuzah? https://mezuzahmaven.org/does-an-elevator-need-a-mezuzah/ Wed, 19 May 2021 12:07:57 +0000 https://mezuzahmaven.org/?p=2813 You have asked a complicated question, and the answer is no less complicated.[1] It is questionable if an elevator requires a mezuzah at all, and opinion differ on the matter.  The standard elevator is comprised of two parts: the moving compartment and the outer shaft. There are reasons to exempt both. A moving compart may […]

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]]> You have asked a complicated question, and the answer is no less complicated.[1] It is questionable if an elevator requires a mezuzah at all, and opinion differ on the matter.  The standard elevator is comprised of two parts: the moving compartment and the outer shaft. There are reasons to exempt both. A moving compart may not be considered a room, simply because it moves. The shaft in of itself is exempt because nobody enters it. That which a technician enters the shaft periodically is not enough for it to require a mezuzah. Hence, many exempt an elevator entirely.[2] However, some maintain that nevertheless, since one enters the shaft while in a compartment, the shaft is obligated.[3] Thus, they place a mezuzah on the right side entering the shaft on the ground level, and on the entry of each floor, on the right side exiting the shaft, following the direction of entry. However, even those following this opinion do so without reciting a blessing, out of doubt.[4]

The above applies only in a building where all the occupants are Jewish. If even one occupant is not Jewish, the elevator does not require a mezuzah.[5] This is one of the reasons why a mezuzah on an elevator is almost unseen in the Diaspora.[6]

[1] This Q & A was compiled by Shmuel Kraines, based on Agur B’Ohalecha (36:45), and as heard from its author.

[2] R’ Wozner (Kobetz Beis HaLev, Tishrei 5753), R’ Nissim Karelitz (Moriah, Shevat 5771), B’tzel HaChachmah (II, §80-85), and R’ Moshe Feinstein (cited in Agur B’Ohalecha, ibid.).

[3] Chovas HaDar (5:11). See also Minchas Shlomo (II, 96:23). This is comparable to the entrance of a city which is exclusive for cars. It requires a mezuzah even though one enters it only while inside a car, which is in of itself exempt, as it is not a permanent dwelling. It should be stressed, that the mezuzah should not be place on the door of the moving compartment, but rather on the doorway of the shaft.

[4] Minchas Shlomo (ibid.).

[5] Rema (286:1) exempts a house which is owned partly by a non-Jew. Although there is an opposing opinion (see Agur B’Ohalecha 29:7-10), regarding an elevator, which is questionable in its own right, one need not be stringent.

[6] A further reason may be because of the risk of anti-Semitism, or in accordance with the lenient opinions.

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]]> Does my caravan need a mezuzah? https://mezuzahmaven.org/does-my-caravan-need-a-mezuzah/ Wed, 19 May 2021 11:17:57 +0000 https://mezuzahmaven.org/?p=2809 One of the Rambam’s Ten Principles of the Mezuzah is that the dwelling must be permanent in order to be obligated. The definition of a permanent dwelling as that it one lives within it for at least a month, while it is in the same location.[1] Caravans are not designed to be lived in at […]

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]]> One of the Rambam’s Ten Principles of the Mezuzah is that the dwelling must be permanent in order to be obligated. The definition of a permanent dwelling as that it one lives within it for at least a month, while it is in the same location.[1] Caravans are not designed to be lived in at the same location for a month at a time. This is evident by that which they are generally not equipped with a sewer system. They are also missing other basic qualities found in all permanent dwellings. Thus, caravans  generally do not require mezuzot. However, if you station your caravan at a location where facilities are available, for at least one month at a time, the caravan would be considered permanent enough to require mezuzot. [2]

It should be noted that if a caravan functions as a permanent storage unit and remains in the same location, it would require mezuzot, since it is not lacking in any way to a regular warehouse.

The above are general guidelines for this complex question. If you think there may be details that render your particular scenario exceptional, it would be best to discuss this over the phone. [See also the Q & A “Does a tent need a Mezuzah.”]

[1]  It may be sufficient that one dwells there on a regular basis, e.g., once a year, for even a smaller period of time; nevertheless, it is still necessary that the dwelling is designed for a month of consecutive use. An additional reason to exempt a caravan from a mezuzah may be that it is designed to be on the move, unlike a house. A ship is categorically exempt for this reason.

[2]  As heard from the author of Agur B’Ohalecha.

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]]> Door without Lintel https://mezuzahmaven.org/door-without-lintel/ Tue, 27 Apr 2021 11:43:01 +0000 https://mezuzahmaven.org/?p=2559 The lintel is a very basic structural element, without which a doorway is incomplete and therefore exempt from mezuzah.[1] [Practical halachah deals with lintels of unusual shape, position or purpose as well as doorways without a lintel, but whose ceiling edge can be seen as a lintel. These are discussed in other questions.] [1] The […]

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]]> The lintel is a very basic structural element, without which a doorway is incomplete and therefore exempt from mezuzah.[1]

[Practical halachah deals with lintels of unusual shape, position or purpose as well as doorways without a lintel, but whose ceiling edge can be seen as a lintel. These are discussed in other questions.]

[1] The third condition of the Rambam, cited on our site in General Principles section.

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]]> Checking Your Own Mezuzot https://mezuzahmaven.org/checking-your-own-mezuzot/ Tue, 27 Apr 2021 11:22:45 +0000 https://mezuzahmaven.org/?p=2555 Clearly, it is preferable to have one’s mezuzot checked by a reliable sofer who is trained to pick up subtleties that the layman’s eye might miss. However, since your mezuzot were already checked by a professional sofer, the purpose of re-checking them now is mainly just to see that the letters have not cracked or […]

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]]> Clearly, it is preferable to have one’s mezuzot checked by a reliable sofer who is trained to pick up subtleties that the layman’s eye might miss.

However, since your mezuzot were already checked by a professional sofer, the purpose of re-checking them now is mainly just to see that the letters have not cracked or otherwise been damaged by moisture or sun exposure. According to some opinions, this kind of checking can be done by a competent layman, when necessary.[1]

If you do not find any problems, you should immediately return the mezuzot to their posts. In this case, no new berachah is recited.[2] Ideally, one should put them back without delay, as there are some authorities that require a new berachah after just a few hours, especially if one has engaged in other activities in the meantime.[3]

When mezuzot are removed overnight, a blessing should be recited when they are re-affixed.[4] If all the mezuzot are re-affixed at the same time, one blessing suffices for them all.[5]

If you will be placing a mezuzah on a doorway where it had not been affixed beforehand, you may make a blessing even before the next day. However, you should make sure not to “demote” the mezuzah by moving it from a doorway whose obligation is clear to one whose obligation is doubtful.[6]

[1] Chasam Sofer Y.D. 283, cited in Pitchei Teshuvah Y.D. 291:3. Others contend that one who has not studied the laws of Safrut might not notice finer invalidations which may occur even to Kosher scrolls through decay. [2nd Ed.]

[2] Shach Y.D. 186:25; Chidushei R. Akiva Eiger, op. cit.

[3] Sha’arei HaMezuzah 17:22; Agur B’ohalecha 7:23.

[4] Aruch HaShulchan Y.D. 289:4; Teshuvos V’Hanhagos 2:551; Kovetz Mi-Beit Levi, Tishrei 5751; Sha’arei HaMezuzah 20:15; Leket Shut Mezuzzos, citing R. Eliashiv and R. Wosner.

[5] Rema Y.D. 289:1.

[6] Agur B’ohalecha 7:24:69; Sha’arei HaMezuzah 17:22:46.

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]]> Checking a Representative Sample of Mezuzot https://mezuzahmaven.org/checking-a-representative-sample-of-mezuzot/ Tue, 27 Apr 2021 11:19:22 +0000 https://mezuzahmaven.org/?p=2554 One must check every mezuzah. Each one of them is placed in its own distinct environment and conditions. Moreover, the ink and parchment of each are organic materials that might react differently to humidity and heat fluctuations.[1] [1] Birkei Yosef 291:1, cited in Agur B’Ohalecha 32:9; Kevias Mezuzah K’Hilchasah 14:3:7.

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]]> One must check every mezuzah. Each one of them is placed in its own distinct environment and conditions. Moreover, the ink and parchment of each are organic materials that might react differently to humidity and heat fluctuations.[1]

[1] Birkei Yosef 291:1, cited in Agur B’Ohalecha 32:9; Kevias Mezuzah K’Hilchasah 14:3:7.

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