10 Things to Be Aware of When Mounting a Mezuzah
With the custom of checking mezuzos during Elul, Rabbi Aron Wolf of the Chicago Mitzvah Campaign outlines 10 important points to keep in mind when mounting or remounting a mezuzah.
by COLlive Reporter · COLliveBy Rabbi Aron Wolf – Director of the Chicago Mitzvah Campaign
“The scrupulous are accustomed to have their tefillin and mezuzos checked during Elul, as well as seeing to the repair of all other aspects that concern the performance of mitzvos; this is a fine custom.” (Mateh Efraim 581:10; quoted in Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:3)
In light of the widespread custom to check one’s mezuzos during Elul, we hereby present a timely reminder of 10 things to be aware of when mounting or remounting a mezuzah:
1. When replacing the mezuzos, it is important to remount each mezuzah on the same door from which it was taken down. To make this easier, a practical tip is to place a numbered label (or a numbered piece of painter’s tape) on each mezuzah case and a correspondingly numbered label/painter’s tape on the doorpost from which it was removed.
2. When remounting a mezuzah on the same day that it was taken down AND on the same doorpost from which it was removed, a bracha is not recited prior to the remounting.
3. In order to properly affix the mezuzah to the doorpost, make sure to use two screws/nails or plenty of mounting tape.
4. Do not mount a mezuzah using Scotch tape, masking tape, Velcro, or only one screw or nail.
5. Make sure that the mezuzah is mounted to the doorpost inside a case or holder.
6. For any mezuzah that is exposed to a lot of sunshine, do not use a clear or metal mezuzah case.
7. For any mezuzah that is exposed to rain, use a hard plastic case that opens only from the bottom.
8. Do not use a clear case for any mezuzah that is located inside a bedroom (or a changing room), whether it is located on an archway, a closet door, or a bedroom door that closes with the mezuzah on the inside of the bedroom.
9. Do not allow a Gentile to remount the mezuzah. This issue commonly arises when remounting a mezuzah after hiring a Gentile to paint or renovate.
10. Consult with a Rabbi to confirm:
a) which doors or archways require a mezuzah;
b) precisely where to mount the mezuzah on the doorpost; and
c) when, and on which door, to recite the bracha.
The content of this article was prepared by the Chicago Mitzvah Campaign and reviewed and approved by Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst, Dayan of Agudath Israel of Illinois, and Rabbi Menachem Kahn of the Crown Heights Bais Din.
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