How to Properly Place a Mezuzah
How to Place a Mezuzah
The Mezuzah is attached to the right side of the doorway as you enter the room. It should be positioned at a slight angle, with the top tilted toward the inside of the room and the bottom toward the outside.
The proper location is at the beginning of the upper third of the doorway. To determine this, measure the full height of the doorway and divide it into three equal parts. The bottom of the Mezuzah should be placed at the point where the upper third begins—meaning two-thirds of the way up the doorpost. For example, in a doorway that is 78 inches high, the bottom of the Mezuzah should be at least 52 inches above the floor.
If the doorway is significantly taller, such as 90 inches or more, the Mezuzah may be placed at shoulder height, even if that falls below the upper third. If the doorway is unusually low, a competent rabbinic authority should be consulted to determine the correct placement.
If the doorpost or archway is thicker than a handbreadth—about 3¼ inches—the Mezuzah should be mounted within the outermost handbreadth of the doorway, not in the middle. However, if there is a raised section or jamb running along the doorpost, some rabbinic authorities recommend placing the Mezuzah on that projection.
Determining the Right Side
Sometimes it is not obvious which side of the doorway is considered the “right side.” Is it the right side when entering or when leaving? What about a doorway connecting two interior rooms, such as a kitchen and dining room?
The general rules are:
At the main entrance of the home, the Mezuzah is always placed on the right side as you enter the house.
For interior doorways, if the opening can serve as an entrance from either side, the correct side is usually determined by the direction in which the door opens. The room into which the door opens is considered the primary room, and the Mezuzah is placed on the right side when entering that room.
Since the laws of what defines an entrance and exit can be detailed and complex, it is best to consult a reliable rabbi if there is no door, if the door swings or slides in an unusual way, or if there is any uncertainty about proper placement.
Young Children
If you have young children who cannot yet reach the Mezuzah to kiss it, the Mezuzah should still not be placed lower than the proper height. Instead, you can lift the child up or keep a small stool nearby so they can reach it. This can also serve as a meaningful lesson: when something sacred is higher than we can easily reach, we rise to meet it rather than lower the standard.
When There Is No Space on the Doorpost
At times, it may not be physically possible to place the Mezuzah on the inner side of the doorpost itself—for example, if a swinging door would strike it.
In that situation, the preferred solution is to create a shallow groove, less than a handbreadth deep, and place the Mezuzah there.
If that cannot be done, the Mezuzah may be attached behind the door, as long as it remains on the actual doorpost.
When necessary, it may be affixed on either the inner or outer side of the doorpost, provided it is within approximately three inches of the doorway opening.
It may also be placed on the inner side of the doorpost if there is a genuine concern that it could be stolen or vandalized if mounted in the usual visible location.
Bracha for affixing a Mezuzah:
Hebrew
ברוך אתה ה׳ אלוקינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצוותיו וציוונו לקבוע מזוזה
English translation
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to affix a Mezuzah.
Transliteration
Baruch Atah Ado-nai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kideshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu likbo’a Mezuzah.