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.
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