For the week ending 19 January 2019 / 13 Shevat 5779
Nails vs. Tape
Q: Last night, after midnight, when the movers finally left, we remembered that we needed to put up our mezuzahs! We couldn’t find the double-sided tape, so we put up the mezuzahs with scotch tape and mounting putty. We said the berachot as well. Did we do the right thing?
A: Ideally, the mezuzah should be affixed with two nails, top and bottom, or with double-sided tape strong enough to last for a long time. Scotch tape and mounting putty are not appropriate, as they are less permanent.
Even so, your mitzvah was performed according to a minimal standard, and your berachot were not recited in vain. Nevertheless, you should make sure to put them up properly as soon as possible, without reciting a new beracha.
§ Sources: Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 289:4; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:6; Chayei Adam 15:19; Bach 289:7;Sources: Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 289:4; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:6; Chayei Adam 15:19; Bach 289:7; Shach Y.D. 289:7; Aruch HaShulchan 289:15; Sha’arei Mezuzah 15:18, citing many authorities; Agur B’ohalecha 10:6:14, 10:17:38, 10:18; Cf. Teshuvos V’Hanhagos 1:646
