Mezuzah: Difference between revisions
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→In the Doorframe
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#The mezuzah is placed on the right side of the doorframe underneath the lintel within a tefach of the outside of the doorframe.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 289:1</ref> The mezuzah must be placed so that it is visible or there is a symbol to indicate that there is a mezuzah.<ref>[https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14428&pgnum=53 Yad Haketana (ch. 3 fnt. 25)] explains that it is critical to the mezuzah that a person be able to see the mezuzah and thinking about Hashem. If it is inserted into the post there must be a symbol engraved on the outside of the post to indicate that there is a mezuzah there.</ref> | #The mezuzah is placed on the right side of the doorframe underneath the lintel within a tefach of the outside of the doorframe.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 289:1, Agur Bohalecha 14:1</ref> The mezuzah must be placed so that it is visible or there is a symbol to indicate that there is a mezuzah.<ref>[https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14428&pgnum=53 Yad Haketana (ch. 3 fnt. 25)] explains that it is critical to the mezuzah that a person be able to see the mezuzah and thinking about Hashem. If it is inserted into the post there must be a symbol engraved on the outside of the post to indicate that there is a mezuzah there.</ref> | ||
#If it can't be placed on the doorpost, it should be drilled into the doorpost. If it can't be drilled into the doorpost see the next halacha.<ref>The Complete Mezuzah Guide p. 74 by R' Elefant based on Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 289:4</ref> | #If it can't be placed on the doorpost, it should be drilled into the doorpost. If it can't be drilled into the doorpost see the next halacha.<ref>The Complete Mezuzah Guide p. 74 by R' Elefant based on Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 289:4</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. The Complete Mezuzah Guide p. 74 by R' Elefant agrees.</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. The Complete Mezuzah Guide p. 74 by R' Elefant agrees.</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> | ||
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# If part of the doorpost is blocking more than a tefach of the entranceway, the mezuzah should be placed on the most extended part of the doorpost blocking the door.<Ref>Agur Bohalecha 13:13 quoting Rav Chaim Kanievsky (Mezuzot Beytecha 285:20), Daat Kedoshim (285:1), Chovat Hadar 8:3:3, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Hatorah Vehamitzvah v. 2 p. 663)</ref> | # If part of the doorpost is blocking more than a tefach of the entranceway, the mezuzah should be placed on the most extended part of the doorpost blocking the door.<Ref>Agur Bohalecha 13:13 quoting Rav Chaim Kanievsky (Mezuzot Beytecha 285:20), Daat Kedoshim (285:1), Chovat Hadar 8:3:3, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Hatorah Vehamitzvah v. 2 p. 663)</ref> | ||
#The mezuzah should not be placed behind the door on the wall next to the doorframe. If it is, according to many poskim, the mezuzah is invalid.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 289:1 holds that it is invalid. Shach 291:3 explains while the Tur and Rama hold it is valid after the fact, the Bet Yosef and Levush hold otherwise. He is strict for the Bet Yosef. Nishmat Adam 15:1 shows that most rishonim hold it is valid and in extenuating circumstances it is permitted to place it there without a bracha.</ref> | #The mezuzah should not be placed behind the door on the wall next to the doorframe. If it is, according to many poskim, the mezuzah is invalid.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 289:1 holds that it is invalid. Shach 291:3 explains while the Tur and Rama hold it is valid after the fact, the Bet Yosef and Levush hold otherwise. He is strict for the Bet Yosef. Nishmat Adam 15:1 shows that most rishonim hold it is valid and in extenuating circumstances it is permitted to place it there without a bracha.</ref> | ||
# If the door swings out and there is no place in the doorpost to put the mezuzah in front of the door, the mezuzah should be placed behind the door within the doorframe.<Ref>Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 1 "Makom Hamezuza" n. 70), Agur Bohalecha 14:2</ref> | |||
===Outer Tefach=== | ===Outer Tefach=== | ||
