From: dkhaikin@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Dmitry Khaikin)
Subject: Re: Mezuza question
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 07:48:06 GMT

In article <92359.002724PC2370A@auvm.american.edu> you write:
>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, of course, there is. It is: 

Boruch atah HaShem Alokeinu melech haolam, asher kidshanu bemitzvotav
vetzivanu likboa mizuza.

Now, if you are putting up several mezuzot in your house you don't have
to say this for every one of them. Say it only for one (usually front
door one) and just fix up the other ones.

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

It is not part of the mitzvah, but it is a very nice tradition. I would
invite a Rabbi over for such occasion. One more thing you have to
remember is that you have about 30 days to put them up once you move in.
So, if a Rabbi can't make it earlier, then you should put it up yourself.

>     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 ?
>

There are different opinions on that. One is that it is like it is
welcoming you in. The mezuza should be placed at about 3/4 of the height
of the door post. Now, oanother question is whether it should be placed
on the right or on the left side of the door. Of course, for the front
door there is no question that it should be put on the right side, but
on the back doors and something like that is other issue. It is really
hard to decide without seeing the door itself. There are certain fartors
that you should base your decision on. First, does the door open inside
or outside. If if opens inside then you might want you do the same as on
the front door (which is on the right side). If it opens outside then
you might want to place the mezuza on the left side. Although, perhaps,
the most important creteria is how you are using the door. If you use
the door for going out more then for comming in then you definetely
should pout the mezuza on the left side, if not on the right.
As I said, it is very difficult to say without considering a certain
situation. The best thing would be is to consult a Rabbi and have him
come over for putting up a mezuza and at the same time ask his advise on
what he thinks is the best side to put up a mezuza.

Thanks,
Dima
-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  "A word is worth one coin; silence is worth two."_____ The Talmud.
  "Silence is good everywhere, except in connection with Torah."____ The Zohar.
  dkhaikin@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu  ( Dmitry Khaikin, Columbus Ohio )
-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  "A word is worth one coin; silence is worth two."_____ The Talmud.
  "Silence is good everywhere, except in connection with Torah."____ The Zohar.
  dkhaikin@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu  ( Dmitry Khaikin, Columbus Ohio )
Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish