Mezuzah: Difference between revisions
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#The questions to clarify for whether a closet is obligated in a mezuzah and as to which side the mezuzah is placed depends on the following: | #The questions to clarify for whether a closet is obligated in a mezuzah and as to which side the mezuzah is placed depends on the following: | ||
##If a closet is 4x4 amot it is certainly obligated in a mezuzah.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 286:2 obligates a storage area in mezuzah if it is 4x4 amot.</ref> | ##If a closet is 4x4 amot it is certainly obligated in a mezuzah.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D.286:2 obligates a storage area in mezuzah if it is 4x4 amot.</ref> Once the closet is obligated in mezuzah which way should the mezuzah be? Should it be on the right side since it is a dead end or should it have a mezuzah on the left side since the room is used more than the closet? Most poskim hold that the mezuzah should be placed on the right side going into a closet if the closet is obligated in mezuzah.<ref>The Maharil (responsa 94) holds that the mezuzah is placed on the right side going to an enclosed courtyard since the courtyard is closed and the only way to enter it is from the house so the entrance is from the house to the courtyard. The Bet Meir 289 argues since the house is used more than the closet. The Chavot Daat cited by the Bet Meir agrees with Bet Meir but doesn’t feel he is entitled to disagree with the Maharil. Our case is analogous to that of the Maharil. | ||
*Majority of achronim accept the Maharil. Taz 289:3, Maharam Shik 287, Maharsham 1:71 and 3:154, Chelkat Yakov YD 162, Yeshuot Malko (Mezuzah 6:1), Igrot Moshe YD 1:181, Or Letzion YD 1:14, and Yabia Omer YD 4:23:6 agree with Maharil in this case. Binyan Tzion (cited by Chelkat Yakov) and Chazon Ish YD 168:5 agree with Bet Meir. | |||
*Or Letzion YD 1:14 write that the opinion of the Maharil depends on the dispute between the Rambam and Rosh. According to the Rambam that a bet shaar is obligated because of the house that it is attached to the mezuzah should be on the left side and according to the Rosh the rabbinic obligation is for the bet shaar itself and accordingly the mezuzah should be on the right. Or Letzion concludes to place the mezuzah on the right because either we follow the Rosh or the Chikrei Lev. Yeshuot Malko (Mezuzah 6:1) advances the same argument. However, both Or Letzion and Yeshuot Malko conclude that we accept the Maharil. Igrot Moshe YD 1:181 rejects the entire question and explains that the Rambam would hold that the bet shaar is obligated in it of itself once it is attached to a place that is used for living. He accepts the Maharil. Our summary is that most accept the Maharil in this case and would hold to put up the mezuzah on the right side. Rav Heinemann in Guide to Halachos p. 105 writes that a walk-in closet that has 50ft sq area should have a mezuzah on the right post going in.</ref> | |||
##There is a dispute if a closet less than than 16 square amot is obligated in a mezuzah since it is useful in its current form. The minhag is to put up a mezuzah.<ref>Chamudei Doniel (Pitchei Teshuva 286:11) writes that an area that is meant to be used the way it is even if it is less than 4x4 amot is obligated in a mezuzah. Rashash Sukkah 3b s.v. may agrees. Or Letzion 1:14 assumes like the Chamudei Doniel. | |||
*Mikdash Me’at 286:39 strongly disagrees with the Chamudei Doniel. Orchot Rabbenu v. 3 p. 165 quotes the Chazon Ish as holding that we do not hold like the Chamudei Doniel. [http://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/839765/rabbi-baruch-simon/%D7%91%D7%A2%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%9F-%D7%9E%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%9D-%D7%A7%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A2%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%96%D7%95%D7%96%D7%94/ Rabbi Simon in an article on mezuzot] agrees.</ref> | *Mikdash Me’at 286:39 strongly disagrees with the Chamudei Doniel. Orchot Rabbenu v. 3 p. 165 quotes the Chazon Ish as holding that we do not hold like the Chamudei Doniel. [http://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/839765/rabbi-baruch-simon/%D7%91%D7%A2%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%9F-%D7%9E%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%9D-%D7%A7%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A2%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%96%D7%95%D7%96%D7%94/ Rabbi Simon in an article on mezuzot] agrees.</ref> | ||
##Most poskim hold that an area 2x8 amot is obligated in a mezuzah.<ref>The Rambam (Mezuzah 6:2) holds that an area that is 2x8 amot is obligated in a mezuzah as would any area that is larger than 16 square amot. The Rosh (Mezuzah no. 16) disagrees and holds that unless it is 4x4 amot square it isn’t obligated. Shulchan Aruch YD 286:13 holds like the Rambam. Levush 286:13 agrees. The Shach 286:23 holds that it is obligated but the mezuzah should be put up without a bracha. Chayei Adam 15:6, Aruch Hashulchan YD 286:21, and Yalkut Yosef 285:24 agree. | ##Most poskim hold that an area 2x8 amot is obligated in a mezuzah.<ref>The Rambam (Mezuzah 6:2) holds that an area that is 2x8 amot is obligated in a mezuzah as would any area that is larger than 16 square amot. The Rosh (Mezuzah no. 16) disagrees and holds that unless it is 4x4 amot square it isn’t obligated. Shulchan Aruch YD 286:13 holds like the Rambam. Levush 286:13 agrees. The Shach 286:23 holds that it is obligated but the mezuzah should be put up without a bracha. Chayei Adam 15:6, Aruch Hashulchan YD 286:21, and Yalkut Yosef 285:24 agree. | ||
*However, the Taz OC 634:1 argues that everyone holds it is exempt. Chazon Ish YD 169:4, Or Yitzchak 2:52, and [http://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/839765/rabbi-baruch-simon/%D7%91%D7%A2%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%9F-%D7%9E%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%9D-%D7%A7%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A2%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%96%D7%95%D7%96%D7%94/ Rabbi Simon in an article on mezuzot] accept the Taz. Additionally, according to the Chamudei Doniel obviously an area that is 2x4 is obligated.</ref> | *However, the Taz OC 634:1 argues that everyone holds it is exempt. Chazon Ish YD 169:4, Or Yitzchak 2:52, and [http://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/839765/rabbi-baruch-simon/%D7%91%D7%A2%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%9F-%D7%9E%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%9D-%D7%A7%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A2%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%96%D7%95%D7%96%D7%94/ Rabbi Simon in an article on mezuzot] accept the Taz. Additionally, according to the Chamudei Doniel obviously an area that is 2x4 is obligated.</ref> | ||
##If | ##If a closet is exempt from mezuzah, should it have a mezuzah going from the exempt area into the room since it is like an entrance to the room? Most Ashkenazim hold that a mezuzah is placed on the left side going into an area that is exempt, while Sephardim hold that the mezuzah is placed on the right side. <ref>Rabbi Akiva Eiger 286:13 writes that since the area is exempt from a mezuzah it can still be considered an entrance into the room. The Chazon Ish YD 168:5 agrees and adds that accordingly the mezuzah should be placed on the left side going from the exempt area into the room. Rav Shlomo Zalman (cited by Hamezuzah Vehilchoteha ch. 3 fnt. 19), [http://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/788640/rabbi-hershel-schachter/the-laws-of-mezuzah/ Rav Hershel Schachter in “The Laws of Mezuzah” (min 34-42)], Rav Aharon Lichtenstein (cited by [https://www.koltorah.org/halachah/do-walk-in-closets-and-porches-require-a-mezuzah-by-rabbi-chaim-jachter Rabbi Jachter]), Binyan Tzion 99, and Rav Heinemann (Star-K Kashrut Kurrents Winter 5779 p. 2; Guide to Halachos p. 101) agree. | ||
*However, the Chikrei Lev YD 129 argues that since the area is exempt in it of itself it is never considered an entrance just because you can enter it and then while exiting it enter into another room. That is considered an exit and not entering. Or letzion YD 1:14 isn’t certain if the Chikrei Lev is correct but he certainly considers his opinion significant. Yabia Omer 4:23:6 is also uncertain of Rabbi Akiva Eiger and cites Tzur Yakov and Tarshish Shoham quoting Lechem Hapanim who disagree with Rabbi Akiva Eiger. Igrot Moshe YD 1:181, Agur Bohalecha p. 739-740, Chesed Lavraham YD 91, and R’ Simon all agree with Chikrei Lev and reject Rabbi Akiva Eiger.</ref> | *However, the Chikrei Lev YD 129 argues that since the area is exempt in it of itself it is never considered an entrance just because you can enter it and then while exiting it enter into another room. That is considered an exit and not entering. Or letzion YD 1:14 isn’t certain if the Chikrei Lev is correct but he certainly considers his opinion significant. Yabia Omer 4:23:6 is also uncertain of Rabbi Akiva Eiger and cites Tzur Yakov and Tarshish Shoham quoting Lechem Hapanim who disagree with Rabbi Akiva Eiger. Igrot Moshe YD 1:181, Agur Bohalecha p. 739-740, Chesed Lavraham YD 91, and R’ Simon all agree with Chikrei Lev and reject Rabbi Akiva Eiger.</ref> | ||
#Therefore, a closet that is 4x4 amot or larger clearly needs a mezuzah and the mezuzah is placed on the right side going into the closet.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 286:2</ref> | #Therefore, a closet that is 4x4 amot or larger clearly needs a mezuzah and the mezuzah is placed on the right side going into the closet.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 286:2</ref> | ||
