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Laws of the Mezuzah: Dwelling
1. General Criteria
It has become the accepted practice to place a Mezuzah on the doorpost of every single
room of a Jewish home, office or institution, as long as it meets the following
conditions:
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Purpose: The dwelling is a permanent one and is meant
for dignified, human habitation. |
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Structure. The room is enclosed by walls, and has
a ceiling and a door. |
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Size. The room is at least 16 square
cubits
(approximately 36-64 square feet). |
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Doorway. The doorway is used as an entrance,
has two doorposts and a ‘lintel’
(the horizontal, top part of the doorway), and is it least 10
handbreadths
(about 3 feet 4 inches) tall
and 4 handbreadths (about 1 foot 4 inches) wide. |
It should be noted that the clear majority of the rooms of your home will definitely
meet these criteria. Thus, your front and back doors, kitchen,
dining room, living room, den, bedrooms, playrooms, laundry rooms,
doors to a staircase, etc. – in other words, the typical doorways
of your house – will most likely require a Mezuzah.
And this applies whether your
home is a house, rented apartment or condominium.
2. No Mezuzah Here
The following rooms would not require a Mezuzah, since they do not satisfy the criteria
specified above:
Bathrooms. They do not satisfy the criteria of “dignified” use. Similarly,
locker rooms or change rooms and the like would not require a Mezuzah.
Small closets. They are generally too small to require a Mezuzah. However,
large walk-in closets would require a Mezuzah.
Cars. Although “car mezuzahs” can be found in many Judaica stores,
cars and most other vehicles definitely do not require a Mezuzah, since their purpose
is transportation. However, a mobile home would require a Mezuzah.
Sukkah. Your Sukkah does not require a Mezuzah, since it is a temporary dwelling.
Synagogues. Only dwellings used for ‘mundane’, not holy, use require a
Mezuzah. However, all other rooms in a Synagogue building, such as offices,
classrooms, etc., would indeed require a Mezuzah.
3. Special Cases
The following cases have received much attention and debate among the authorities,
both medieval and modern. General guidelines are provided here, but since
the details will vary from case to case, it would be best to consult a
reliable Halakhic authority.
Garages. If the garage is used for parking the car only, then it is questionable
whether it requires a Mezuzah. If it is used to store other items as well, then there
is less of a doubt. It would be advisable to put up a Mezuzah without
reciting a blessing.
Sheds. There is much debate among the authorities whether outdoor sheds or
storage rooms require a Mezuzah. It would thus be advisable to put up a Mezuzah
without a blessing.
Note that sheds – or garages – which are also
used as workshops would unambiguously require a Mezuzah, and the blessing would
be recited.
Dormitories. The case where one is living in a dormitory is very unclear. There are
many variables involved, and therefore it is very difficult to give a general ruling.
Each situation should be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Stables. There is much debate as well regarding animal domiciles, such as a stables.
Here too, it would be advisable to put up a Mezuzah
without a blessing.
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© Baal Shem Tov Foundation 2003-2005 |
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