Mezuzah: Difference between revisions
From Halachipedia
(→Height) |
|||
| Line 224: | Line 224: | ||
#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</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 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.</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 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 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> | |||
#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> | ||
===Outer Tefach=== | ===Outer Tefach=== | ||
#The mezuzah should be placed on the outer [[tefach]] of the doorpost | #The mezuzah should be placed on the outer [[tefach]] of the doorpost<ref>Gemara Menachot 32b, Tur 289, Shulchan Aruch 289:2, Levush 289:2, Chayei Adam 15:17, Aruch Hashulchan 289:9. Taz 289:3 writes that the mezuzah is still kosher if the mezuzah isn't within the outer [[tefach]]. </ref> both for the front door as well as any other door.<Ref>Agur Bohalecha 13:5</ref> | ||
#If it | #After the fact it is kosher. If it isn't too difficult one should fix it.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 13:3. He suggests that as long as it isn't very difficult one should fix it. If it would cost more than a third of the cost of a basic mezuzah one is exempt from fixing this.</ref> | ||
# When placing the mezuzah on a slant, it is sufficient if part of the mezuzah is within a the outer tefach.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 13:4. He observes that this is how it was placed in Rav Elyashiv's house.</ref> | |||
# If the outer tefach is exposed to sun and rain and it might get ruined, it is better not to leave it in the outer tefach.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 13:8</ref> | |||
===Fixed to the Doorpost=== | ===Fixed to the Doorpost=== | ||
#A mezuzah should be established in a sturdy way so that it won't fall down. Also, it should not be hanging.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 289:1. Bach understands the reason that the halacha insists that a mezuzah should be put up with nails is so that it doesn't fall down. One should establish it in a way that even in the unlikely scenario it won't fall down. The Chayei Adam 15:19 implies that the reason that it should be put up with two nails is because if one only uses one mezuzah on top, the mezuzah is like it is hanging and the mezuzah should not be hanging. </ref> | #A mezuzah should be established in a sturdy way so that it won't fall down. Also, it should not be hanging.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 289:1. Bach understands the reason that the halacha insists that a mezuzah should be put up with nails is so that it doesn't fall down. One should establish it in a way that even in the unlikely scenario it won't fall down. The Chayei Adam 15:19 implies that the reason that it should be put up with two nails is because if one only uses one mezuzah on top, the mezuzah is like it is hanging and the mezuzah should not be hanging. </ref> | ||
#A mezuzah could be put up with nails, one on top and one on bottom, but not with just one nail.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 289:1, Chayei Adam 15:19</ref> If one put it up with only one nail but it was tightly fastened to the wall and doesn't move it is valid.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 10:4</ref> | #A mezuzah could be put up with nails, one on top and one on bottom, but not with just one nail.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 289:1, Chayei Adam 15:19</ref> If one put it up with only one nail but it was tightly fastened to the wall and doesn't move it is valid.<ref>Agur Bohalecha 10:4</ref> | ||
