Yeshiva
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions
Answer: The first question, whether the mirpeset requires a mezuza in its own right, has two parts. The gemara (Yoma 11b) derives that only "houses made for living" require a mezuza. There are different indications as to whether what Chazal called mirpeset requires (see ibid. and Menachot 33b), and the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 286:7) rules that it depends if there is an entrance from a house to the mirpeset. However, that is not talking about a balcony. Most poskim posit that our mirpesot require mezuzot (see Chovat Hadar 2:5) because stepping out for air etc. is a normal way of using one’s house. Although a house needs a roof to require a mezuza (Shulchan Aruch ibid. 14), it is normal for a balcony to not have a (full) roof, and lack of one does not necessarily exempt (see Sha’arei Hamezuza 2:(11)). According to some opinions, and possibly depending on certain parameters, one would affix the mezuza to a mirpeset without a beracha (see ibid. (12)).
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions (660)
Rabbi Daniel Mann
554 - The Power of Vinegar
555 - Mezuza for a Balcony
556 - Ask the Rabbi: Kiddush a Second Time for a Guest
Load More
The indications are, then, that it is a doubt whether your balcony deserves, from "its sake," a mezuza, and in which case, affixing it on the right going out without a beracha on it could make sense. However, even according to the possibility that the mirpeset does not have its own mezuza obligation, its connection to the living room may affect matters.
We put the mezuza on the right side going into a house, but when going from room A to room B within it, we must decide which room we are considered entering from which, to determine which side is "the right." The major factors are: 1) which room is used more significantly; 2) into which room does the door open; 3) most importantly, when one can only enter room B by means of room A, we view it that we are going into the "dead end" (Taz, YD 289:4; Pitchei Shearim 289:67). Your mirpeset is such a dead end, ostensibly indicating to affix the mezuza on the right side going out to the balcony. (A minority opinion holds that since the mirpeset is subservient to the house, one always puts it in the direction of entering the main house (Chazon Ish, YD 168:5).)
However, if the mirpeset does not deserve a mezuza, it may enable the following possibility. Just like an entrance from a non-mezuza-entity into a house requires a mezuza, so does a non-mezuza-entity mirpeset need one going into the house. Then, you would need a mezuza going into the house, on the right side (see R. Akiva Eiger to YD 186:13).
In summation, there are many indications in different directions. We would be tempted to suggest a mezuza on each side, but we must not do that (see our column, Kedoshim 5774). We recommend affixing it on the right coming into the living room, doing so along with a mezuza for a definitely required location, so one can "share" the berachot.
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions Ask the Rabbi: Forgot to Remove Tefillin Before Musaf of Rosh Chodesh
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Various Events FOR WHOM NOT TO VOTE
Rav Zvi Yehuda Kook stressed that Israeli politics is G-dly, so I have no problem answering this common question on a Torani blog. Also, Free-Will is a G-d-given right and obligation, to "destine one's fate" (R. Soloveichik, Kol Dodi Dofek, 67), so I obviously don't tell others how to vote. But once not a few (especially young) have already asked, a couple of personal words from experience and thoughts from chazal & Rav Kook which may be of help to others, mainly for whom NOT to vote.
P'ninat Mishpat Fallout from Failure to Install Elevator – part II
based on ruling 85007 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
