Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Rabbis, If you live with non-Jewish roommates is it permissible to hang Mezuzot in your home?

During a dinner this past Sukkot, I heard someone say that when living with gentile roommates, the hanging of a Mezuzah, even on the door post of ones own room is not permitted? Is this so, and if so, why?

8 Answers

Relevance
  • ?
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Not only is it permissible, but you SHOULD hang a Mezuzah in your home even when living with a non-Jew. It's your Mitzvah, and has nothing to do with the non-Jew. However, if it is a home with only non-Jews (e.g. if you move out and non-Jews are moving in), there shouldn't be a Mezuzah on the door.

  • 1 decade ago

    You should always hang a mezuzah up regardless of whether or not you have Jewish room mates- this applies whether you rent the room or own the entire house. If the Jew owns the home, and there are non-Jews in various rooms, regardless of whether a non-Jew stays in any particular room, if the Jew lives in the home and doesn't just rent it out to non-Jews every room (aside from bathrooms and toilets), should have a mezuzah up.

    As to leaving mezuzahs up when you leave a home- if a jew is coming up you have to leave them up. it is allowed to ask them to pay for the mezuzahs, and if they say no to remove them- but if you are in this situation speak to your local Rabbi as its not as simoke as it sounds. If a non-Jew is moving in you must take the mezuzot down- a mezuzah is an item with kedusha that should be utilised by Jews and not left for non-Jews. This only applies to the klaf- the case does not have kedushah and can be left behind

    Source(s): Orthodox Jew; Acting Rabbi
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    answer: It is absolutely encouraged. I live in a mixed home and have mezuzahs in the appropriate places on the door jams.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I'm not a Rabbi, but the answer to your question is that it is permissable for anyone to hang a Mezuzot on their door.

  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • 1 decade ago

    I was told that when you live with a non-Jewish roommate, you are not required to hang a mezuzah. If you want to, and your roommate is okay with it, you absolutely can. And I've also heard that if you do, you don't say a bracha.

    Source(s): My rabbi at Brandeis.
  • ?
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    Im not a rabbi... BUT... when many jewish people move they often will leave them on the door post for the next person. And orthodox jews have boughten me the scroll for my cover, so i dont think its forbidden.

    star for you anyway because it's an interesting question

  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    Jewish Roommates

  • 1 decade ago

    umm its fine how told u that cuz they are wrong

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.