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.

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[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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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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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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Some authorities write that during Sukkot it is deemed a temporary dwelling because he is then living specifically in that room only because of the mitzvah.^[2]Also, in the short time between  removal of the ceiling and the placement of the schach, the room might be seen to lose its independent obligation in mezuzah. Therefore, your son’s question is a legitimate one.^[3] Indeed, some authorities recommend removing after the ceiling has been replaced and replacing the mezuzah without a berachah,^[4]

Nevertheless, the custom follows those opinions that assert that such a room retains its status as a permanent dwelling, and consequently the mezuzot do not need to be replaced. They also reason that since the mezuzah was originally placed properly, it maintains its status even when some external factor exempts the room for a time.^[5]

[1] Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 286:11.

[2] Agur B’ohalecha 41:17:43.

[3] Agur B’ohalecha 16:31:72.

[4] Sha’arei Teshuvah O.C. 627:7, citing Pri Chadash.

[5] Pitchei Teshuvah 286:14, citing Arba Turei Even; Chut Shani, Sukkos p. 204; Igros Moshe O.C. 5:40; Aruch HaShulchan 286:27; Agur B’ohalecha 16:31:72; Mezuzas Melachim, Halachah L’Moshe 131; Kuntres HaMezuzah  139. Cf. Mishnah Berurah O.C. 626:21.

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However, the mezuzah should be encased in an opaque cover in a room where adults or children might expose themselves.^[2] This would apply even if the mezuzah is on the outside of the door, as sometimes the door is inadvertently left open.^[3] A mezuzah inside a room occupied by a married couple requires two covers, one of which must be opaque.^[4] However, if a closed door intervenes between the room and the mezuzah, a single cover is sufficient.

An opaque cover is also advisable in a room where soiled diapers are changed.^[5]

A garbage pail, changing table, or even a mop and bucket should not be placed within four amot of the mezuzah, even if it has an opaque covering.^[6]

This cover may be transparent, unless there is a chance that people will expose themselves when the door is partially open.^[7]

If one affixes a mezuzah on the doorway of a large closet inside the master bedroom, it should be placed on the closet side of the door, and the door should be closed during relations.^[8] It is advisable to cover it anyways with a double cover, in case the door is inadvertently left open.^[9]

To make a double covering, wrap the mezuzah in a small piece of paper and place it in an opaque cover, before affixing to the post.^[10] The plastic wrapping that is often found on a mezuzah at the time of purchase is there to protect it from moisture, and is not considered a covering.^[11]

[1] Rema Y.D. 286:2 and Bei’ur HaGra 286:4.

[2] Aruch HaShulchan  Y.D. 286:10; Mishnah Berurah 84:7; Darchei Moshe Y.D. 286:2.

[3] Sha’arei HaMezuzah 18:9.

[4] Magen Avraham 40:2.

[5] Birchei Yosef 286:4; Kuntres HaMezuzah 286:107,110; Agur B’ohalecha 32:59; Sha’arei HaMezuzah 18:8.

[6] Pitchei Teshuvah 286:7.

[7] Aruch HaShulchan  Y.D. 286:10; Mishnah Berurah 84:7; Darchei Moshe Y.D. 286:2.

[8] Shach Y.D. 286:10.

[9] Sha’arei HaMezuzah 18:9.

[10] Mishnah Berurah 40:7, citing Chochmas Adam; Chovas HaDar 1:7:32. Agur B’ohalecha (32:72:187) writes that this is the custom. Cf. Mezuzot Beitecha, Sha’ar HaTziun 286:57, citing Chazon Ish. Only one of the coverings needs to be opaque.

[11] Shulchan Aruch O.C. 40:2.

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However, if the space between the doors has a distinct purpose, such as a storage area, a second mezuzah should be affixed on the outside door, without a berachah. ^[2]

Even if the inner door only has space for a mezuzah on the outside of its post, since the mezuzah is within the doorway and under the lintel, it may face forward.

[See also question “Security gate in front of door.”]

[1] Agur B’ohalecha 36:41.

[2] Agur B’ohalecha 36:41:79. Additional examples of a distinct purpose include if the space is used as a position for a security guard to stand or as an area to unload goods.

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If the space is less than four tefachim, a mezuzah should be put on the inner doorframe. The security door needs no mezuzah since the area it encloses is too small to be considered a beit sha’ar. ^[1]

[See also question “Two Doors Sharing the Same Doorway.”]

[1] Agur B’ohalecha 36:40.

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[1] Agur B’ohalecha 36:38.

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Commonly, people like to put their halachically best and aesthetically most beautiful mezuzah on their front door. In your case, you should rather put that one on what you call the “real” front door, which is fully obligated with a berachah.^[2] Then, you could proceed to place a mezuzah on the outer door.

[1] Kuntres HaMezuzah  286:152; Agur B’ohalecha 36:37; Teshuvos Maharsham 3:154.

[2] Agur B’ohalecha 1:54.

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