Mezuzah: Difference between revisions
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#If there is no place to put the mezuzah within the doorframe (picture #1), according to Ashkenazim the mezuzah can be placed on the area in front of the doorframe within a tefach of the doorframe.<ref>According to the Shach's understanding the Rama 289:1 rules like the Tur that after the fact a mezuzah is kosher if it is behind the door outside of the doorframe. Agur Bohalecha siman 44-46 discusses at length whether having the mezuzah in front of the doorframe is the equivalent of behind the doorframe or better. Either way, in a case where it is impossible to put it in the doorframe it is best to put it in front of the doorframe.</ref> According to Sephardim it must be placed within the doorframe in front of the door or behind the door (picture #2).<ref>Shulchan Aruch, Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 1 "Makom Hamezuza" n. 70). Yalkut Yosef clarifies that having the mezuzah within the doorframe behind the door is also called in the doorway and kosher for Shulchan Aruch. Agur Bohalecha siman 43 agrees.</ref> | #If there is no place to put the mezuzah within the doorframe (picture #1), according to Ashkenazim the mezuzah can be placed on the area in front of the doorframe within a tefach of the doorframe.<ref>According to the Shach's understanding the Rama 289:1 rules like the Tur that after the fact a mezuzah is kosher if it is behind the door outside of the doorframe. Agur Bohalecha siman 44-46 discusses at length whether having the mezuzah in front of the doorframe is the equivalent of behind the doorframe or better. Either way, in a case where it is impossible to put it in the doorframe it is best to put it in front of the doorframe.</ref> According to Sephardim it must be placed within the doorframe in front of the door or behind the door (picture #2).<ref>Shulchan Aruch, Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 1 "Makom Hamezuza" n. 70). Yalkut Yosef clarifies that having the mezuzah within the doorframe behind the door is also called in the doorway and kosher for Shulchan Aruch. Agur Bohalecha siman 43 agrees.</ref> | ||
#If a doorpost has a thicker post and a thinner post which is further towards the outside (picture #3), the mezuzah can be placed on the thinner part (gold mezuzah in picture).<ref>Agur Bohalecha 13:6</ref> Some hold it should be placed specifically on the thicker part (blue mezuzah in picture).<ref>Chovat Hadar 8:3:1 fnt. 3 explaining the position of Rav Dovid Yungreis</ref> | #If a doorpost has a thicker post and a thinner post which is further towards the outside (picture #3), the mezuzah can be placed on the thinner part (gold mezuzah in picture).<ref>Agur Bohalecha 13:6</ref> Some hold it should be placed specifically on the thicker part (blue mezuzah in picture).<ref>Chovat Hadar 8:3:1 fnt. 3 explaining the position of Rav Dovid Yungreis</ref> | ||
===Fixed to the Doorpost=== | |||
# A mezuzah should be established in a sturdy way so that it won't fall down. Also, it should not be hanging.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 289:1. Bach understands the reason that the halacha insists that a mezuzah should be put up with nails is so that it doesn't fall down. One should establish it in a way that even in the unlikely scenario it won't fall down. The Chayei Adam 15:19 implies that the reason that it should be put up with two nails is because if one only uses one mezuzah on top, the mezuzah is like it is hanging and the mezuzah should not be hanging. </ref> | |||
# A mezuzah could be put up with nails, one on top and one on bottom, but not with just one nail.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 289:1, Chayei Adam 15:19</ref> If one put it up with only one nail but it was tightly fastened to the wall and doesn't move it is valid.<reF>Agur Bohalecha 10:3</ref> | |||
# A mezuzah could be put up with tape or glue.<reF>Agur Bohalecha 10:4. Rav Chaim Kanievsky in Daat Noteh p. 472 writes that initially one should not put up a mezuzah with glue.</ref> | |||
# Some say that a mezuzah could be put up with Velcro.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 10 quoting Rav Elyashiv</ref> | |||
# Some say that a mezuzah shouldn't be put up with a magnet.<ref>Rav Chaim Kanievsky in Daat Noteh p. 472</ref> | |||
===Arched Doorway=== | ===Arched Doorway=== | ||
#If the doorway is arched there is a dispute whether the height of the doorposts includes the arched section where the doorway has a width of 4 tefachim. Therefore, if there is a small area which is arched and the doorway has a width of greater than 4 tefachim, it is possible to satisfy both opinions by placing it on the vertical section of the door but still within the top third of the doorway.<ref>Chovat Hadar (p. 59, n. 35)</ref> (For example, if a doorway is 90 inches and the top 12 inches are arched and still has a width of tefachim, one should place the mezuzah in the vertical section above 60 inches.<ref>According to the opinion that the arched section is included the mezuzah should be placed at 60 inches (2/3 of 90) and above and according to the opinion that the arched section isn't included the mezuzah should be placed at 52 inches (2/3 of 78) and above. To satisfy both opinions one can place it at 60 inches where the doorpost is still vertical. </ref>) | #If the doorway is arched there is a dispute whether the height of the doorposts includes the arched section where the doorway has a width of 4 tefachim. Therefore, if there is a small area which is arched and the doorway has a width of greater than 4 tefachim, it is possible to satisfy both opinions by placing it on the vertical section of the door but still within the top third of the doorway.<ref>Chovat Hadar (p. 59, n. 35)</ref> (For example, if a doorway is 90 inches and the top 12 inches are arched and still has a width of tefachim, one should place the mezuzah in the vertical section above 60 inches.<ref>According to the opinion that the arched section is included the mezuzah should be placed at 60 inches (2/3 of 90) and above and according to the opinion that the arched section isn't included the mezuzah should be placed at 52 inches (2/3 of 78) and above. To satisfy both opinions one can place it at 60 inches where the doorpost is still vertical. </ref>) | ||
#If the height of the arch is more than one third of the height of the entire doorway so that it isn't possible to satisfy both opinions the primary opinion is to place the mezuzah two thirds up the vertical part of the doorway excluding the arch.<ref>Chovat Hadar p. 60 n. 35 writes that the Taz 287:2 in such a case says to place the mezuzah in the arched part like Rashi. He explains that even Rambam could agree since anyway there is a vertical doorway that is 10 tefachim. Chovat Hadar quotes achronim who disagree and side with Rambam. Shulchan Aruch YD 287:2 holds like the Rambam. More details about [https://www.vaadmhk.org/mezuzah-archway/ how to affix a mezuzah on an archway].</ref> | #If the height of the arch is more than one third of the height of the entire doorway so that it isn't possible to satisfy both opinions the primary opinion is to place the mezuzah two thirds up the vertical part of the doorway excluding the arch.<ref>Chovat Hadar p. 60 n. 35 writes that the Taz 287:2 in such a case says to place the mezuzah in the arched part like Rashi. He explains that even Rambam could agree since anyway there is a vertical doorway that is 10 tefachim. Chovat Hadar quotes achronim who disagree and side with Rambam. Shulchan Aruch YD 287:2 holds like the Rambam. More details about [https://www.vaadmhk.org/mezuzah-archway/ how to affix a mezuzah on an archway].</ref> | ||
