Mezuzah: Difference between revisions
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#A bedroom should have a mezuzah.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 285:5, Aruch Hashulchan 286:13</ref> | #A bedroom should have a mezuzah.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 285:5, Aruch Hashulchan 286:13</ref> | ||
#When a couple is together if the mezuzah is on the inside of the door it should be covered with a single covering. If the mezuzah scroll is already covered with a single non-clear cover such as metal or non-clear plastic that is sufficient. However, if the scroll is in clear plastic and the case is clear it should be covered with something non-clear.<ref>Aruch Hashulchan 286:12-15 proves that the Bet Yosef's opinion that the bedroom needs a mezuzah and it is sufficient to have it covered with one covering. Yalkut Yosef YD 285:41 and Halichot Olam v. 8 p. 302 agree for additional reasons such as the Smag who holds that if the mezuzah is ten tefachim from the ground it is considered in another domain. Zivchei Tzedek OC 38 and Ben Ish Chai (Shana Sheniya, Ki Tavo, no. 16) are lenient and write that such is the minhag. Kaf Hachayim on Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 40:13 agrees but adds that initially one should be strict for the Magen Avraham.</ref> Some poskim hold that the mezuzah should be covered with a double covering and so even if the case isn't clear the mezuzah needs another cover.<ref>Magen Avraham 40:2 holds that a mezuzah that is facing the inside of the room needs to be covered with a double covering to permit having tashmish in the room. Divrei Chamudot (Mezuzah no. 46), Eliya Rabba 40:2, Mishna Brurah 40:7, Ginzei Hakodesh 4:14, and Ben Ish Chai (Shana Sheniya, Ki Tavo, no. 16) citing the Yad Ketana 13 agree.</ref> | #When a couple is together if the mezuzah is on the inside of the door it should be covered with a single covering. If the mezuzah scroll is already covered with a single non-clear cover such as metal or non-clear plastic that is sufficient. However, if the scroll is in clear plastic and the case is clear it should be covered with something non-clear.<ref>Aruch Hashulchan 286:12-15 proves that the Bet Yosef's opinion that the bedroom needs a mezuzah and it is sufficient to have it covered with one covering. Yalkut Yosef YD 285:41 and Halichot Olam v. 8 p. 302 agree for additional reasons such as the Smag who holds that if the mezuzah is ten tefachim from the ground it is considered in another domain. Zivchei Tzedek OC 38 and Ben Ish Chai (Shana Sheniya, Ki Tavo, no. 16) are lenient and write that such is the minhag. Kaf Hachayim on Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 40:13 agrees but adds that initially one should be strict for the Magen Avraham.</ref> Some poskim hold that the mezuzah should be covered with a double covering and so even if the case isn't clear the mezuzah needs another cover.<ref>Magen Avraham 40:2 holds that a mezuzah that is facing the inside of the room needs to be covered with a double covering to permit having tashmish in the room. Divrei Chamudot (Mezuzah no. 46), Eliya Rabba 40:2, Mishna Brurah 40:7, Ginzei Hakodesh 4:14, and Ben Ish Chai (Shana Sheniya, Ki Tavo, no. 16) citing the Yad Ketana 13 agree.</ref> | ||
#According to the poskim that you need a double cover, if the scroll is rolled up inside the case and the case isn't clear, | #According to the poskim that you need a double cover, if the scroll is rolled up inside the case and the case isn't clear, if the covering was put intentionally to be a double covering as is the common custom it is considered a double covering.<ref>Chachmat Adam 128:10, Mishna Brurah 40:7. Ahava Achva Vshalom p. 121 quotes Rav Elyashiv as holding like Chachmat Adam. Maharsham in Daat Torah 40:2 cites the Chachmat Adam.</ref> Some poskim consider that one a single cover and would require an external cover when a couple is going to be together.<ref>Orchot Rabbenu v. 3 p. 175 n. 34 quotes the Chazon Ish and Steipler as disagreeing with the Chachmat Adam. If there's a double covering that is the usually there it is considered like a single covering even if it was put there intentionally to be a double cover. This can also be found in Igrot Vereshimot Kehilat Yakov v. 5 p. 266 of the Steipler. It also quotes this from Meorer Yeshenim. Rav Chaim Kanievsky in Daat Noteh v. 3 p. 461 agrees.</ref> | ||
#Accordingly, if the mezuzah wasn't wrapped before it was put in the case or if you follow the stringent opinions above, before the couple is together the mezuzah should be covered with an external covering such as a piece of clothing. Even if the case is clear it counts as a single cover.<ref>See above notes. Mishna Brurah 40:7 clarifies that it is sufficient if one of the covers is not designated for the mezuzah. (Avnei Nezer YD 383:1 explains that something inside a double covering is like it isn't in the house at all.)</ref> | |||
===Shul and Bet Midrash=== | ===Shul and Bet Midrash=== | ||
