Mezuzah: Difference between revisions
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→The Bracha
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# It is proper that the klaf should be positions so that the שדי is facing outward towards the opposite doorpost.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 1:33</ref> | # It is proper that the klaf should be positions so that the שדי is facing outward towards the opposite doorpost.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 1:33</ref> | ||
See the [[Acquiring and Maintaining Stam]] page for more details about maintaining the klaf. | See the [[Acquiring and Maintaining Stam]] page for more details about maintaining the klaf. | ||
===Who Should Put it Up=== | |||
# Initially, the homeowner should put it up himself. If he can't do it, he should appoint a Jew to do it in his stead.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 1:15, 8:15</ref> | |||
#The bracha only after everything, such as the tape or nails, is prepared so that one can put it up without delay after the bracha.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 1:18</ref> If an agent (heb. שליח; transl. shaliach) is putting up a mezuzah, some say that he should recite the bracha על קביעת מזוזה, while others say that an agent recites the same text as the homeowner, לקבוע מזוזה.<ref>Rambam Brachot 11:13 writes that an agent who puts up a mezuzah writes the bracha על קביעת מזוזה. Agur Bohalecha 7:9 rules like the Rambam, but cites Rav Chaim Kanievsky (Mezuzot Beytecha edition 3) and Rav Wosner (Kovetz Mbet Levi v. 4) that even an agent should recite לקבוע מזוזה based on the Rama 265:2 regarding milah.</ref> | |||
#Initially one should not have a child or non-Jew put up a mezuzah. After the fact it is valid.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 8:22. He rejects the Chikrei Lev 128 and others who invalidate a mezuzah put up by a non-Jew. There are four reasons it could be invalid: 1) We learn from tzitzit that just like tzitzit made by a non-Jew is invalid so too mezuzah. 2) There needs to be shelichut and there is no shelichut for a non-Jew. 3) The putting up has to be done lishma. 4) We should learn from Tefillin that just as non-Jews don't have the mitzvah of tefillin they may not write a mezuzah.</ref> | |||
===The Bracha=== | ===The Bracha=== | ||
#Before putting up<ref>No bracha is recited for living in a house with mezuzot tha were already put up (Birkei Yosef 19 in disagreement with the Magen Avraham 19:1). Agur Bohalecha 7:3 rules like the Birkei Yosef.</ref> a mezuzah one should recite the bracha of "Asher Kideshanu Bemizvotav vetzivanu likboah Mezuzah" - " אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו לקבוע מזוזה" . <ref>Gemara Menachot 42b, Rambam Hilchot Mezuzah 5:7, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:7, Aruch Hashulchan 289:3 </ref> Ideally, the homeowner should put up the mezuzos and recite the blessing.<ref>Rabbi Reuvain Mendlowitz (cited at [https://www.vaadmhk.org/mezuzah-blessing-faq/ Mezuzah Blessing - The Seven Most FAQ])</ref> If one puts up several [[mezuzot]] at one time one bracha suffices for all of them. <ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:7, Aruch Hashulchan YD 289:4, Shevet Ha’Levi 6:160, Rivevot Ephraim 3:508, Az Nidberu 3:61 </ref> In a situation like this one should be careful not to make a [[hefsek]] (pause) between [[mezuzot]] by talking.<ref>Mezuzat Baitecha 289:6, Rivevot Ephraim 2:29:21, Pitchei Mezuzot 289:10, Kuntres Hamezuzah 289:8 </ref> If one did speak some poskim would require you to say a new beracha.<ref>Chovat Hadar 11:9, Kuntres Hamezuzah 289:8. Mikdash Miat 289:6 and Birchot Habayis 59:1 disagree. </ref> | #Before putting up<ref>No bracha is recited for living in a house with mezuzot tha were already put up (Birkei Yosef 19 in disagreement with the Magen Avraham 19:1). Agur Bohalecha 7:3 rules like the Birkei Yosef.</ref> a mezuzah one should recite the bracha of "Asher Kideshanu Bemizvotav vetzivanu likboah Mezuzah" - " אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו לקבוע מזוזה" . <ref>Gemara Menachot 42b, Rambam Hilchot Mezuzah 5:7, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:7, Aruch Hashulchan 289:3 </ref> Ideally, the homeowner should put up the mezuzos and recite the blessing.<ref>Rabbi Reuvain Mendlowitz (cited at [https://www.vaadmhk.org/mezuzah-blessing-faq/ Mezuzah Blessing - The Seven Most FAQ])</ref> If one puts up several [[mezuzot]] at one time one bracha suffices for all of them. <ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:7, Aruch Hashulchan YD 289:4, Shevet Ha’Levi 6:160, Rivevot Ephraim 3:508, Az Nidberu 3:61 </ref> In a situation like this one should be careful not to make a [[hefsek]] (pause) between [[mezuzot]] by talking.<ref>Mezuzat Baitecha 289:6, Rivevot Ephraim 2:29:21, Pitchei Mezuzot 289:10, Kuntres Hamezuzah 289:8 </ref> If one did speak some poskim would require you to say a new beracha.<ref>Chovat Hadar 11:9, Kuntres Hamezuzah 289:8. Mikdash Miat 289:6 and Birchot Habayis 59:1 disagree. </ref> | ||
# If he is using double sided tape or glue he should take the mezuzah in his right hand and recite the bracha. If he is using nails and a hammer he should take the mezuzah with his right hand and place it against the doorpost in the correct spot. Then he should hold it with his left hand and hold the hammer with his right hand. Before the bracha he should begin to put in the bottom nail to minimize the delay after the bracha until it is put up.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 1:19, 24</ref> | # If he is using double sided tape or glue he should take the mezuzah in his right hand and recite the bracha. If he is using nails and a hammer he should take the mezuzah with his right hand and place it against the doorpost in the correct spot. Then he should hold it with his left hand and hold the hammer with his right hand. Before the bracha he should begin to put in the bottom nail to minimize the delay after the bracha until it is put up.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 1:19, 24</ref> | ||
====Which Doorposts Require a Mezuzah with a Bracha==== | ====Which Doorposts Require a Mezuzah with a Bracha==== | ||
# A person should recite the bracha upon putting up the mezuzah that indisputably needs a mezuzah with a bracha and then without interruption put up the other mezuzot. There is no need to put up the front door one first.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 1:57</ref> | # A person should recite the bracha upon putting up the mezuzah that indisputably needs a mezuzah with a bracha and then without interruption put up the other mezuzot. There is no need to put up the front door one first.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 1:57</ref> | ||
