Mezuza Archives - AskTheRav

An investment property that has no Jewish tenants, but they know that the owner is Jewish, does the front door require a Mezuzah?

No, unless the owner stores his belongings there or has an office there. In such a case, the front door and all doors leading to his storage area are obligated…

Do we put up a Mezuzah on the Tefach HaChitzon on a Brick wall, or is it better to put it on the doorpost?

A common design for the entrance of a brick or stone house is a Tzuras Hapesach (an opening formed by two side posts and a lintel, i.e. a doorway) which consists…

Do I make a Brachah when putting up a Mezuzah on a public property like a school building?

No. See here for more details.

Do these doorways in the picture need Mezuzahs? The first one used to be another door to our apartment. It’s sealed shut and not used, so I presume no, but just wanted to double-check.

If it is sealed and the seal needs to be broken to reopen it, it does not require a Mezuzah. Sources: שו״ת מהר״מ פאדווה ט. דעת קדושים רפו, כה. משמרת…

Our doorway is 100 inches tall. Does putting the Mezuzah on the top third mean that the bottom of the Mezuzah has to be at 33 inches, or should it be at shoulder height, roughly 63 inches?

If the doorway is 100 inches tall, it should still be placed on the top third and not at shoulder height. Sources: בשו״ת אבנ״ז יו״ד שפד, ח שבמקום ששליש…

I have a room in the basement of a Chabad house that has no windows, and the door opens to the outside of the room. On which side should I put the Mezuzah?

If the room or closet is less than 4x4 Amos, it is exempt from Mezuzah. Some, however, adopt a Chumra - stringency to place a Mezuzah. If there is no…

I took off a Mezuza to check it. When I went now to put it back, I realized that it was on the wrong side of the door. Does it require a Brocho now?

Yes. Sources: פשוט. וגם במקום שיש הסוברים לקבוע באופן שנקבע מקודם, ולכאורה ספק ברכות להקל - הרי בנדו״ז בלא״ה מקום לברך כיון שהסירה והחזירה והסיח דעתה ממנה. ולהרבה דעות…

On what side should the Mezuza be placed in a boiler room? There is no window in the room and the door opens outwards (hinges are on the left side).

On the right side upon entering into the boiler room. Nonetheless, a Bracha should not be made. Sources: נחלקו בזה רבני אנ״ש, כמפורסם. ולדידי דוחק גדול לומר שהמענה שיש…