Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

Midor Ledor

March 13, 2025

Q If a mezuzah was taken down for checking or to paint the house, may it be moved to a different door?

A According to some poskim (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 1:649), a mezuzah in a doorway that is obligated to have one mideOreisa should not be transferred to a doorway that is only chayav mideRabanan (see Y.D. 286:7 and Shach). This is similar to the restriction on transferring tzitzis from one garment to another (Mishnah Brurah 15:1).

The same applies to transferring a mezuzah from a doorway that certainly requires one to another with a questionable obligation, e.g., a room small enough that its requirement to have a mezuzah is debated by the poskim.

Other authorities distinguish between mezuzah and tzitzis, and this leniency may be relied upon (Sefer Agurah Be’ahalecha 39:38).

There is often another reason to avoid relocating mezuzos: If the mezuzah is returned to its original location within a few hours, a new bracha is not recited (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:551), because there was no hesech hada’as (diversion of attention). To avoid bracha she’einah tzricha (an unnecessary bracha) when a mezuzah is reaffixed quickly, it is advisable to return it to its original spot (Agurah Be’ahalecha ibid. 37).

While mezuzos are being checked, it is best to put up temporary substitutes, as the mitzvah is constant. But this is not obligatory if they will only be gone for the time reasonably necessary for checking (Agurah Be’ahalecha ibid. 35).

While a home is being painted, one may live in it without mezuzos to protect them from damage (Igros Moshe Y.D. 1:183 and Agurah Be’ahalecha 2:31).