Mezuza on a New Home

Question: We recently bought a house, though we will not be moving in for a couple of months while we renovate and furnish it. When should we affix our mezuzos?

Answer: The Beraisa (Mezuza 2:11) teaches that a new house is obligated in a mezuza as soon as it is completed. However, the Gemara (Bava Metzia 101b) states that mezuza is a chovas hadar, an obligation on the resident. The Magen Avraham (19:1) explains that an unoccupied house is exempt.

The Shulchan Aruch (YD 289:1) rules that one recites the beracha likboa mezuza when affixing the mezuza. The Magen Avraham explains that one normally affixes it once living there, and suggests that one who affixed it earlier should instead recite ladur bebayis sheyesh bo mezuza when moving in. The Mishna Berura (19:4) therefore writes that one should only recite the beracha when moving in straight away, just as one recites the beracha on a tallis immediately before wrapping oneself in it.

However, a house need not be occupied to be considered a home. R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:544) writes that an empty house is not yet a dwelling, but once it is fit to be lived in, with beds or a table and chairs, it is obligated even before moving in. He therefore rules that once furniture is brought into one’s own house, one should affix the mezuzos with a beracha. The Shevet Halevi (6:161) similarly writes that the time for the mitzva is before moving in, and that a mezuza affixed earlier is valid.

Similarly, the Chazon Ish ruled that one who rented an apartment and brought in belongings is obligated even before living there (Orchos Rabbeinu 3, Mezuza 21). The Harei Besamim (2:219) likewise permits affixing a mezuza with a beracha once belongings are brought into a house bought for one’s own use. This differs from a tenant in chutz la’aretz, who is exempt for thirty days (Shulchan Aruch YD 286:22).

The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 19:2; YD 289:3) adds that household items are usually brought in before moving in, thereby obligating the house, and that one may recite the beracha even when intending to move in later, as appears to be the minhag.

In conclusion, an empty house or one still being renovated is not yet obligated, and one should not affix the mezuzos. Once furniture or belongings are brought in, it is obligated even before moving in, and the mezuzos should be affixed with a beracha.