Mezuzah: Difference between revisions
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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, 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> | #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. Agur Bohalecha 14:9 writes that the entire mezuzah should be within the doorframe, though he cites the Shevet Halevi 3:151 who holds that it is sufficient if part is in the doorframe.</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 under the lintel it could be put even before the lintel within the doorframe.<Ref>Agur Bohalecha 14:6</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, even not on the material of the actual frame,<ref>Agur Bohalecha 14:15</ref> 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 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> | ||
# 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> | ||
