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...
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.((See Agur B'Ohalechah 34:44))
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...
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...
It sounds like you did everything right: You checked before the “three and a half years” point.[1] The mezuzah was not in a vulnerable place, such as in direct sunlight or exposed to the rain. In such cases, you would have had to check it at least once a year[2] or...
Some authorities assert that a mezuzah in a sealed glass case that does not come in contact with the wall and is not exposed to the elements does not need checking.[1] However, the Shulchan Aruch and the later authorities do not mention any exceptions to the halachic...
Elul is surely a time for self-improvement and an opportunity to “get right with G-d” before the Day of Judgement. In this spirit, it is recorded that some meticulous individuals have a custom of having their mezuzot checked every year to make sure that the parchment...
Generally, a buyer can assume that he is purchasing everything connected to the house except for items explicitly reserved by the seller.[1]Therefore, since the halachah prevents the seller from removing his mezuzot, the buyer can assume that they are included in the...
One honors a mitzvah by taking care not to downgrade its status. Therefore, if a mezuzah is proudly fulfilling its mission on a doorway that is fully obligated, some authorities write that one should not remove it to place it on a doorway which is questionably...
You can arrange with the new resident that he should affix his new mezuzot immediately as you take yours down.[1] This seems to be the general practice.[2] Some authorities advise that, in such a case, the new resident should be the one to take down your mezuzot.[3]...
You may take your cases with you and replace them with inexpensive plastic ones.[1] However, it is best to stipulate with the buyer before the sale that you will be taking your covers with you, as he may have a potential claim that his purchase includes the home and...
Although a mezuzah is very holy and must be treated with the greatest respect at all times, the fasting custom you mentioned only applies to Torah scrolls and tefillin.[1] The son who dropped the mezuzah is not required to fast even if the mezuzah fell without any...
The Talmud rules that one who moves from a house may not remove its mezuzot if a Jewish person will be moving in.[1] There are several ways of explaining this prohibition. Some Rishonim explain that once a mezuzah is placed on a Jewish door, the sanctity of the Divine...
“Chai” chains, “Star of David” chains, and even “Hamsa” vampire-protection chains. We are all familiar with the various physical symbols people like to use to express their Jewish identity and pride. Just google “mezuzah chain” and you will see that a mezuzah pendant...
Even though it is wrapped up and covered, a mezuzah is meant to be rolled in a way that it is readable. Thus, care should be taken that it is affixed right-side up. Also, one should make sure that the Divine name ש-ד-י should be facing outwards, even if the cover is...
A mezuzah is a miniature Torah scroll containing the first two paragraphs of Shema Yisrael and thus is not muktzeh.[1] However, this particular scroll should be treated as muktzeh since its case was affixed to the doorpost in a manner that would require dismantling...
A stand-alone sukkah is exempt from mezuzah as it is a temporary dwelling.[1] The status of a room that one dwells in year-round and replaces its ceiling on Sukkot with schach is a matter of controversy. Some authorities write that during Sukkot it is deemed a...
Since the mezuzot were affixed when there was a door, and they have not been moved from the doorframe, you are not required to remove and reattach them.[1] [1] Agur B’ohalecha 16:28:67. He adds that this seems to be the custom. Sha’arei HaMezuzah (11:44) states that...
Firstly, you were correct to put the mezuzah up since the halachah follows the opinion cited by the Kitzur that doorways are obligated even when they lack doors.[1] According to some commentaries, even the Kitzur would agree in a case where you can’t put the doors up...
Proudly affixing a mezuzah on a doorpost is a very public religious sign that can cause resentment and even peril under anti-Semitic regimes. I know very little about the level of risk in your case, and so I cannot advise you. But I can give some general guidelines...
Mezuzah theft is a common act of antisemitism or vandalism. It has also been suggested that mezuzot are often stolen by people who imagine that they are some type of lucky charm. If this is a real concern, ideally one should protect the mezuzah by carving out a space...
As long as the mezuzot are within the doorway, they can face in any direction.[1] However, placing the mezuzah outside of the doorway is unacceptable to many authorities. And even those who allow outside placement state that this option is far from ideal and should be...
The mitzvah of mezuzah placement on all the rooms of the house is incumbent upon the owner or renter. So the room is not the child’s. However, Rambam writes: “Minors should be educated to affix a mezuzah to their rooms.”[1] Consequently, many opinions hold that a...
Ordinarily, a married woman should defer to her husband to affix the mezuzot. But if this will cause an unnecessary delay, she should do it herself.[1] A husband may choose to share the mitzvah with his wife, just as he may choose to share it with other persons of...
Although this is the opinion of several authorities,[1] Shulchan Aruch, Kitzur, Chayei Adam and other halachic works do not make this distinction. Consequently, you should recite the normal berachah of לקבוע מזוזה.[2] [1] Rambam, Hilchos Berachot 11:13; Az Nidberu...
Firstly, Mazal Tov on the new home! It is special that you made a Chanukat Habayit at the time of the mezuzah placement. In this way, you are dedicating the house to its higher purpose.[1] Your rabbi was referring to the Sages instruction that “It is greater to do...
Ideally, the mezuzah should be affixed with two nails, top and bottom[1] or with double-sided tape strong enough to last for a long time.[2] Scotch tape and mounting putty are not appropriate as they are less permanent.[3] Even so, your mitzvah was performed according...
Our Sages explain that a berachah is not merely a perfunctory obligation. When we recite the words: “He who sanctified us with His commandments,” we are striving to uplift ourselves to connect with the spirituality of the act we are about to perform. In this sense,...
If a person is accustomed to only distribute his ma’aser money to the poor or for the support Torah scholars, this would not be a permitted allocation. However, Chafetz Chaim writes that if at the time a person takes on the custom of ma’aser he stipulates that he...
The most important part of a mezuzah is invisible. The thoughts and intentions of the sofer breathe soul into the letters, transforming a piece of animal hide into a pulsating “power-pack.” As the sofer sits down to write a mezuzah he must focus and say: “Behold I am...
Before you run off to Home Depot for some parchment, ink, and goose quills, you might want to consider a few pesky details about mezuzot. Firstly, as you can see reflected in the Kitzur’s wording here, many authorities hold that it is a positive commandment to “affix”...
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