Menachot 30 - 36
- Rules of writing a Sefer Torah
- How the last eight passages of the Torah were written
- The problems in regard to writing and correcting the Holy Name
- The rulings of Rabbi Shimon Shezieri
- Writing of the mezuzah and properly placing it
- Where a mezuzah is required and the problem of unusual doorways
- The writing of the Torah chapters in tefillin and the making of the boxes containing them
- The straps and knot on the head tefillin
- The blessings made when putting on tefillin
- When tefillin should not be worn
The Hanging Mezuzah
- Menachot 32b
A mezuzah must be placed on the doorpost and not hung in the doorway. Should someone suspend it from a stick in the doorway or behind the door he not only fails to perform the mitzvah but also invites danger.
What is the nature of the danger?
Rashi's explanation is that since the home is not protected unless the mezuzah is in its proper place, there is a danger that harm may occur to the home.
Tosefot challenges this approach since the gemara should have simply stated that there is danger whenever the mezuzah is not placed according to the halacha. The danger, Tosefot suggests, is that one is likely to bang his head against a hanging mezuzah and hurt himself.
A mezuzah was carried by King Munbaz during his travels and hung in the doorways of the hostel where he spent the night during his travels. Since such a hostel was not a place of regular residence there was no obligation to put a mezuzah on its doorway and the mezuzah was hung there only as a reminder of the mitzvah of mezuzah.
What the Sages Say
"Come and see how G-d's ways are different than those of mortals. A mortal king sits inside his palace and his people stand outside to protect him. It is otherwise with G-d who stands guard (through the mezuzah) for the Jew who sits in his house."
- Rabbi Chanina - Menachot 33b
