Mezuzah: Difference between revisions
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#The mezuzah should be placed at the beginning of the upper third of the height of the doorway<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:5, Rashi Menachot 33a s.v. “bitechila,” Rambam Hilchot Mezuzah 6:12, Tur 289, Prisha 289:6, Shulchan Aruch 289:2, Levush 289:2, Chayei Adam 15:17, Pitchei Mezuzahs 289:24, Chovat Hadar 8:2:4, Teshuvot Vihanhagot 2:539. See Yabia Omer YD 2:21 where Chacham Ovadia Yosef quotes poskim who say that if it was placed higher than the beginning of the top third it should be moved without a beracha to there, but himself disagrees. </ref> but it should be placed at least a [[Tefach]] from the top of the doorway. <ref>Tur 289, Shulchan Aruch 289:2, Levush 289:2, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:5 </ref> If it is not in the top third it isn't kosher. <ref>Beit Yosef 289, Shach 289:4, Taz 289:3. </ref> If it isn't a tefach from the top of the door it should be fixed.<ref>Mezuzah Vehilchoteha 11:8 quotes Halichot Olam v. 8 p. 251 who writes that according to Shulchan Aruch if the mezuzah is within a tefach of the ceiling it needs to be fixed. He says that it is in disagreement with the Ben Ish Chai Ki Tavo n. 7 who writes that after the fact it is kosher.</ref> | #The mezuzah should be placed at the beginning of the upper third of the height of the doorway<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:5, Rashi Menachot 33a s.v. “bitechila,” Rambam Hilchot Mezuzah 6:12, Tur 289, Prisha 289:6, Shulchan Aruch 289:2, Levush 289:2, Chayei Adam 15:17, Pitchei Mezuzahs 289:24, Chovat Hadar 8:2:4, Teshuvot Vihanhagot 2:539. See Yabia Omer YD 2:21 where Chacham Ovadia Yosef quotes poskim who say that if it was placed higher than the beginning of the top third it should be moved without a beracha to there, but himself disagrees. </ref> but it should be placed at least a [[Tefach]] from the top of the doorway. <ref>Tur 289, Shulchan Aruch 289:2, Levush 289:2, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:5 </ref> If it is not in the top third it isn't kosher. <ref>Beit Yosef 289, Shach 289:4, Taz 289:3. </ref> If it isn't a tefach from the top of the door it should be fixed.<ref>Mezuzah Vehilchoteha 11:8 quotes Halichot Olam v. 8 p. 251 who writes that according to Shulchan Aruch if the mezuzah is within a tefach of the ceiling it needs to be fixed. He says that it is in disagreement with the Ben Ish Chai Ki Tavo n. 7 who writes that after the fact it is kosher.</ref> | ||
#If a doorway is very tall, according to Ashkenazim, one should put up the mezuzah at shoulder height. <ref>Yerushalmi Megillah 4:12, Tosfot Yoma 11b s.v. shein, Shach 289:4</ref> However, according to Sephardim, one should place it in the upper third in all circumstances.<ref>Yalkut Yosef YD 285:77</ref> | #If a doorway is very tall, according to Ashkenazim, one should put up the mezuzah at shoulder height.<ref>Yerushalmi Megillah 4:12, Tosfot Yoma 11b s.v. shein, Shach 289:4</ref> However, according to Sephardim, one should place it in the upper third in all circumstances.<ref>Yalkut Yosef YD 285:77</ref> | ||
===In the Doorframe=== | |||
#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> | |||
#If there is no place to put the mezuzah within the doorframe, 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.</ref> According to Sephardim it must be placed within the doorframe in front of the door or behind the door.<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 part and a thinner part towards the outside, the mezuzah can be placed on the thinner part.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 13:6</ref> Some hold it should be placed specifically on the thicker part.<ref>Chovat Hadar 8:3:1 fnt. 3 explaining the position of Rav Dovid Yungreis</ref> | |||
===Arched Doorway=== | ===Arched Doorway=== | ||
