Dose of Halacha

Question: Our landlord has extended our flat and has installed an emergency fire exit. As we hope to never use this door, do we need to affix a mezuza ? Answer: The Gemara (Menachos 33a) suggests that R’ Yehuda Hanassi used to enter the beis hamedrash through a door that had no mezuza because it was never used by anybody else (see Tur YD 286:18). Nonetheless, the Gemara (ibid. 34a) concludes that one must affix a mezuza even on a doorway that is rarely used. The Shulchan Aruch (YD 286:17) writes that one must affix a mezuza to each door that is designed for regular use. If some doors are no longer used due to fewer inhabitants, one must not remove the mezuzos . The Rema (YD 286:18) adds that this only applies to a door that is used for both coming and going. A small door that is only used for passing food through would not require a mezuza (see Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:1) .   R’ Avraham Dovid Wahrman (Mikdash Me’at 286:48) stresses that this only applies to a doorwa...

Question: We have recently redecorated our dining room and have moved the bookcase so that it blocks one of the doors. As this doorway can no longer be used, can we remove the mezuza ? Answer: The Gemara (Shabbos 146b; Bava Basra 13a) teaches that the space in the immediate vicinity outside an entranceway belongs to that house even if the doorway has been sealed. Only if the doorposts were destroyed, does it lose its status as an entrance (see Shulchan Aruch CM 172:7). Thus, R’ Avraham Dovid Wahrman (Daas Kedoshim 286:25) writes that a doorway that was sealed for the winter does not require a mezuza. Following this, the Aruch Hashulchan (YD 286:38) and R’ Shraga Feivish Schneebalg (Shraga Hameir 2:76; 3:23:3) write that blocking a doorway with heavy furniture does not invalidate the doorway, and it still requires a mezuza. R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:540) argues that there is a difference between heavy, immovable furniture which should render the doorway unu...