Mezuzah: Difference between revisions
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→Which doorposts require a mezuzah
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#Every doorway of one's house is obligated in mezuzah. Even if a room has several doorways, each one is obligated in having a mezuzah. If a doorway isn't used for entering it doesn't need a mezuzah.<ref>Maharil (responsa 94) bemoans the fact that many people think that it is sufficient to have one mezuzah per house when in fact every doorway requires its own mezuzah. The Darkei Moshe 286:4 cites the Maharil. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:1 concurs.</ref> | #Every doorway of one's house is obligated in mezuzah. Even if a room has several doorways, each one is obligated in having a mezuzah. If a doorway isn't used for entering it doesn't need a mezuzah.<ref>Maharil (responsa 94) bemoans the fact that many people think that it is sufficient to have one mezuzah per house when in fact every doorway requires its own mezuzah. The Darkei Moshe 286:4 cites the Maharil. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:1 concurs.</ref> | ||
#The doorpost of a cellar that is [[lying]] flat on the ground is not obligated in having a mezuzah. <ref>Chaye Adam 15:15 writes that a cellar door on the floor is exempt from mezuzah based on Kiddushin 22b that states that a doorpost lying on the ground isn't considered a doorpost. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:20 and Aruch Hashulchan YD 286:41 concur.</ref> | #The doorpost of a cellar that is [[lying]] flat on the ground is not obligated in having a mezuzah.<ref>Chaye Adam 15:15 writes that a cellar door on the floor is exempt from mezuzah based on Kiddushin 22b that states that a doorpost lying on the ground isn't considered a doorpost. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:20 and Aruch Hashulchan YD 286:41 concur.</ref> | ||
# An emergency exit or any door only used to exit is not obligated in a mezuzah.<ref>Minchat Shlomo 2:100:5</ref> | # An emergency exit or any door only used to exit is not obligated in a mezuzah.<ref>Minchat Shlomo 2:100:5</ref> | ||
#A doorway is only obligated in a mezuzah if the room has 4 by 4 [[amot]] of space. If there's not 4 by 4 square [[amot]] but there is the same amount of area, such as 2 by 8 [[amot]], there is a dispute whether the doorway is obligated in a mezuzah. In such a case one should put up a mezuzah without a bracha, or recite a bracha when putting up a mezuzah in a doorway that is obligated and then put up this mezuzah. <ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:10 records a dispute between the Rambam and Rosh on this matter. Shulchan Aruch YD 286:13 writes the opinion of the Rambam that if the room has an area of 4 by 4 [[amot]] even if it isn't a square it is obligated in a mezuzah. The Shach 286:23 notes that the opinion of the Rosh is that the doorway isn't obligated unless there is a 4 by 4 [[amot]] square area. Due to this dispute, the Shach concludes that one should put up the mezuzah without a bracha or recite a bracha when putting up a mezuzah in a doorway that is obligated and then put up this mezuzah.</ref> | #A doorway is only obligated in a mezuzah if the room has 4 by 4 [[amot]] of space. If there's not 4 by 4 square [[amot]] but there is the same amount of area, such as 2 by 8 [[amot]], there is a dispute whether the doorway is obligated in a mezuzah. In such a case one should put up a mezuzah without a bracha, or recite a bracha when putting up a mezuzah in a doorway that is obligated and then put up this mezuzah. <ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:10 records a dispute between the Rambam and Rosh on this matter. Shulchan Aruch YD 286:13 writes the opinion of the Rambam that if the room has an area of 4 by 4 [[amot]] even if it isn't a square it is obligated in a mezuzah. The Shach 286:23 notes that the opinion of the Rosh is that the doorway isn't obligated unless there is a 4 by 4 [[amot]] square area. Due to this dispute, the Shach concludes that one should put up the mezuzah without a bracha or recite a bracha when putting up a mezuzah in a doorway that is obligated and then put up this mezuzah.</ref> | ||
