Organization: Bar-Ilan University Computing Center, Israel
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 09:44:25 IST
From: Shaul Wallach <F66204@BARILVM.BITNET>
Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish
Subject: Re: Mezuzah question

In article <92359.002724PC2370A@auvm.american.edu>, Peter M. Cohen
<PC2370A@auvm.american.edu> writes:

>Greetings:
>
>I have several questions regarding the installation of mezuzot on the doorways
>of my new house.  I have been married now for 6 years. The first home my wife
>and I moved into already had a mezuzah on the doorway.  We recently bought a
>new house and I must put up a new mezuzah.  My parents gave us one so Im
>already to go, but I do have some questions:
>
>     1. Is there a B'rucha for putting up mezuzot ?

     Yes. The beracha to be said immediately before affixing the
mezuza is "Boruch Atto A-----, E------ Melech Ho`olom, Asher Qiddashonu
Bemiswothow Wesiwwonu Liqboa` Mezuzo" (sorry for my Yemenite accent, but
I'm sure you can figure it out) :-).

>     2. Should I ask a Rabbi to put them up ?

     You should certainly be aware of all the relevant laws before
putting it up, and your Rabbi would be the logical person to ask.
There are several things to consider before putting up the mezuza.
First of all, you must be sure it is kosher. A single letter
written incorrectly disqualifies it, and many corrections (other
than things like separating joined letters, in certain cases) cannot
be made after the mezuza is written because it has to be written
in the precise order that it appears in the Torah. The mezuza
must also be written on specially prepared parchment or leather
with durable black ink that does not peel or crumble when the
mezuza is rolled up. Due to the very high percentage of unkosher
mezuzoth which have been found in checks of even the most strictly
Orthodox communities, it is most desirable to buy mezuzoth only
from specially trained scribes who have passed a test given by
organizations such as Va'ad Mismeret Sta"m to be sure that the
scribe who wrote the mezuza is sufficiently versed in all the laws.

    Secondly, once you are sure the mezuza is kosher, you have
to know exactly where to put it. The proper place is on the right
side of the entrance, facing inside. Doorways inside the house
(except the bathroom, etc.) also require mezuzoth, and you may have
to consult a rabbi to be sure which side is the "right" side. The
ideal place to affix the mezuza is on the doorpost, two thirds of
the way up from the floor to the lintel (all of the mezuza must be
within the upper third of the doorpost), and within one handbreadth
(8 cm or 3.2 inches) of the door itself.

     Thirdly, before affixing the mezuza it must be rolled up
from left to right, so that the letters Shin Daleth Yod on the
reverse side are exposed. It is customary among many to wrap the
mezuza, either before or after rolling (I prefer after rolling),
with a piece of clear plastic or other coating to prevent entry
of moisture. The mezuza is inserted into a case in such a way
that the Shin on the back faces the inside of the doorway, away
from the doorpost. It is best to use a case that can be opened
easily because the mezuza should be inspected twice every seven
years to make sure it is still kosher.

>     3. I notice that most homes have the mezuzah placed on the right
>        doorway, slightly tilted at the top towards the house, what
>        is the significance of this ?

    This custom is a compromise between the opinions of Rashi, who
held that the mezuza is to be affixed standing up, and his grandson
Rabbenu Tam, who held that it is to be affixed lying down. The Vilna
Gaon did not approve of this compromise, and many people today,
including most Sefardim and Oriental Jews, affix the mezuza standing
straight up. If you are in doubt as to which custom to follow, you
should consult your Rabbi.

Shalom,

Shaul Wallach
Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish