Tall Doorway

Question: The entrance to our warehouse is sixteen feet tall. How high up the doorframe should we place the mezuza?

Answer: The Gemara (Menachos 33a) teaches that one must place the mezuza two thirds of the way up the doorpost. Tosafos (Menachos 33a; Yoma 11b) quotes the Talmud Yerushalmi (Megilla 4:12) that teaches that when the doorway is particularly high, one places the mezuza at shoulder height. The Bach (YD 289:4), Taz (YD 289:3) and Shach (YD 289:4) write that we follow the Yerushalmi and place the mezuza at shoulder height on a tall doorway.

The Aruch Hashulchan (YD 289:10), Chayei Adam (1:15:17), Avnei Nezer (YD 379) and R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:538) write that we pasken this way.

Nonetheless, the Netziv (Haamek Sheila Ekev 3) disagrees, writing that the Yerushalmi disagrees with the Talmud Bavli. According to Rambam (Mezuza 6:12), placing the mezuza below the top third would be passul (see Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Lechem Hapanim 11:1). Likewise, R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer YD 2:21) writes that one must always place the mezuza in the top third, regardless of the height of the doorway.

In conclusion, the mainstream view is to place the mezuza on tall doorways at shoulder level, though some Sefardim place it in the top third.

Mezuza on Attic Entrance

Question: We have recently installed a couple of windows in our roof so that we can use our loft as an extra room. The only entrance is via a pull-down ladder in the ceiling. Does that entrance require a mezuza?

Answer: The Gemara (Menachos 34a) teaches that one must affix a mezuza to every doorway within a house, including an entrance to an attic. Thus, Rambam (Mezuza 6:10) writes that one must affix a mezuza to a small entrance that leads from a house to an attic.

Rashi (Menachos 34a) explains that this entrance is constructed with upright walls surrounding the stairs to prevent unauthorised access. The Noda Biyehuda (YD 2:184) explains that Rashi wrote this as had it been a simple opening in the attic floor, there would be no requirement for a mezuza (see Minchas Elazar 1:36). Additionally, the Gemara (Kiddushin 22b) teaches that an eved ivri who refuses to be emancipated must have his ear pierced by a door. This door needs to be attached and upright, just like the doorframe upon which we attach a mezuza.

The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (11:20) and Aruch Hashulchan (YD 287:1) quote the Noda Biyehuda and write that one only affixes a mezuza to an upright door.

In conclusion, one does not attach a mezuza to a pull-down door in the ceiling or trapdoor.

Mezuza on Block of Flats

Question: I recently moved to a block of flats. Most of the inhabitants are Jewish. Do we need to affix a mezuza onto the front door of the building?

Answer: The Gemara (Yuma 11a) teaches that one must affix a mezuza to the gate of a city inhabited by Jews. Rashi adds that this applies even when the majority of the city’s inhabitants are Jewish.

The Shulchan Aruch (YD 286:1) writes that one is obligated to affix a mezuza to a house owned by partners. The Rema adds that this only applies when all of the partners are Jewish. Thus, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (11:19) writes that one is exempt from affixing a mezuza to a house or courtyard which is inhabited by both Jewish and non-Jewish people. The Shach (YD 286:6) explains that this is for safety reasons.

Nonetheless, the Gra (Biur Hagra YD 286:2) quotes the Rashba who writes that one is obligated, regardless. The Aruch Hashulchan (YD 286:2) adds that nowadays, other residents are generally more tolerant of mezuzos. Likewise, R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:546) writes that one should affix a mezuza to the front door of a block of flats even if the majority of the residents are not Jewish, unless one is worried that it will cause animosity. One should do so without a beracha (see Betzel Hachachma 5:157).

In conclusion, one should affix a mezuza to the entrance of a block of flats without a beracha, even if the majority of the residents are not Jewish.

Moving Mezuza to the Correct Side

Question: My Rabbi came to my house and told me that the mezuza on my back door was on the wrong side. Should I recite a new beracha when I move it?

Answer: The Gemara (Yoma 11a) teaches that one must affix the mezuza to the right doorpost entering the house. Thus, Rambam (Mezuza 6:12) and the Shulchan Aruch (YD 289:2) writes that if one affixed the mezuza to the left side, they have not fulfilled the mitzva.

The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (11:3) and Aruch Hashulchan (YD 289:5) write that if one affixed the mezuza to the wrong side, one must remove it and affix it to the right side. As there was no kosher mezuza on the doorway, one recites a beracha when reaffixing it.

The Chayei Adam (1:15:17) writes that one does not recite a beracha in this scenario. Nonetheless, R’ Binyamin Yehoshua Zilber (Beis Baruch 2:15:24) notes that this is based on a printing error, and the Chayei Adam also maintained that one should recite a beracha.

In conclusion, if one placed their mezuza on the wrong side of the doorpost, one must take it down and reaffix it on the right side with a beracha.