Chapter 11:7-9
The Mitzvah of Mezuzoh
7. Before affixing it, one recites the blessing asher kid'shonu b'mitzvosav
v'tzivonu likbo'a mezuzoh - ("who has sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us to affix a mezuzoh").
When one affixes a number of mezuzos, one blessing is sufficient for all of
them. If a mezuzoh falls, a blessing should be recited when one affixes it
again. However, there is a question whether another blessing is recited
when a mezuzoh is removed in order to be checked.*
* {The common practice is not to recite a blessing if the mezuzoh is put
back the same day. However, if the mezuzoh is not put back up until the
following day, or if the mezuzoh was determined as no longer acceptable and
had to be replaced with another one, a blessing is recited.}
8. Some gateways are built with a small doorway next to the large gate.
People ordinarily go in and out through this doorway and the gate is only
opened on occasion. Since there are two separate entrances and they are
separated by a pillar at least a hand-breadth in width, two mezuzos are
required.*
* {The same principles apply to any entrance which is serviced by two
doors, e.g. an entrance to a large storefront. As long as both doors are
used and they are separated by a pillar a hand-breadth or more wide, a
mezuzoh is required for each.}
9. In a place where one fears that the mezuzoh may be stolen, one should
embed it within the doorpost to the house. However, one should not embed it
more than a hand-breadth deep, for at that depth, it is no longer
considered "on the doorposts of your house"(Deuteronomy 6:9), but, rather,
within the doorpost and is thus unacceptable. Also, one should make sure
that the place of the mezuzoh is recognizable.
If it is impossible to embed it within the doorpost, under such difficult
circumstances, one can rely on the opinions which allow one to affix it
inside, behind the door.* This leniency applies only when one affixes it on
the doorpost and not on the wall. Also, one should not place it more than a
hand-breadth away from the entrance way, for that would be unacceptable.
* {Similar rules apply if for other reasons it is impossible to affix the
mezuzoh on the doorpost.}
