Menachot 33

בטפח הסמוך לרשות הרבים כמה דמרחק מעלי קא משמע לן

in the handbreadth adjacent to the public domain, perhaps the further the mezuza is from the inside of the house the better, and one may affix it even fully outside the airspace of the entrance. To counter this, Shmuel teaches us that the mezuza must be within the airspace of the entrance itself.

ואמר רב יהודה אמר שמואל כתבה על שני דפין פסולה מיתיבי כתבה על שני דפין והניחה בשני סיפין פסולה הא בסף אחד כשרה ראויה לשני סיפין קאמר

And Rav Yehuda says that Shmuel says: If one wrote a mezuza on two sheets it is unfit. The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita that teaches: If one wrote a mezuza on two sheets and placed it on the two doorposts of the entrance, it is unfit. The Gemara states the objection: By inference, if the mezuza was affixed on one doorpost, it is fit, despite the fact that it is written on two sheets. The Gemara answers: The baraita is not referring to a case where one affixed the mezuza on two doorposts. Rather, the baraita is saying that if it was written on two sheets in such a manner that it is fit to be affixed to two doorposts, i.e., there is a space between the writing of the first and second passages, so that one can separate the two sheets for different doorposts, it is unfit. This is in accordance with the statement of Rav Yehuda, citing Shmuel.

ואמר רב יהודה אמר שמואל במזוזה הלך אחר היכר ציר מאי היכר ציר אמר רב אדא אבקתא היכי דמי כגון פיתחא דבין תרי בתי בין בי גברי לבי נשי

And Rav Yehuda says that Shmuel says: The halakha is that a mezuza must be affixed to the doorpost on its right side, and the right side is determined by the direction from which one enters the room. With regard to a mezuza, when deciding which side is the right side, one should follow the indication of the hinge. The Gemara asks: What is the indication of the hinge? Rav Adda said: The socket into which the hinge is inserted. The room with the socket is considered the inside room, and the mezuza is affixed to the side which is on one’s right when entering that room. The Gemara asks: What are the circumstances, i.e., in what kind of case was this guideline to follow the indication of the hinge necessary? The Gemara answers: This indication is necessary in a case where there is an entrance that is between two houses, e.g., between a room for men and a room for women, as in such a situation the direction of the entrance is unclear.

ריש גלותא בנא ביתא אמר ליה לרב נחמן קבע לי מזוזתא אמר רב נחמן תלי דשי ברישא

The Gemara relates: The Exilarch built a new house. He said to Rav Naḥman: Affix mezuzot for me in the house. Rav Naḥman said: First erect the doors, so that I can affix the mezuzot in the appropriate places, according to the placement of the hinges.

אמר רב יהודה אמר רב עשאה כמין נגר פסולה איני והא כי אתא רב יצחק בר יוסף אמר כולהו מזוזתא דבי רבי כמין נגר הוו עבידן וההיא פיתחא דעייל ביה רבי לבי מדרשא לא הוה לה מזוזה לא קשיא הא דעבידא כסיכתא הא דעבידא כאיסתוירא

Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: If one fashioned a mezuza like a bolt, i.e., he wedged it into a hole in the doorpost of a gate, or affixed it to the doorpost horizontally, it is unfit. The Gemara raises a difficulty: Is that so? But when Rav Yitzḥak bar Yosef came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said: All the mezuzot in the house of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi were fashioned like a bolt, and he also said: That entrance by which Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi entered the study hall did not have a mezuza. The Gemara answers: This is not difficult. This ruling, that it is unfit, is referring to a case where it is prepared like a peg, i.e., he inserted it deep into the doorpost while it was lying horizontally. That ruling, that it is fit, is referring to a case where it is prepared like an ankle [ke’istevira], i.e., it is vertical.

איני והא ההוא פיתחא דהוה עייל בה רב הונא לבי מדרשא והויא לה מזוזה ההוא רגיל הוה דאמר רב יהודה אמר רב במזוזה הלך אחר הרגיל

With regard to the second element of Rav Yitzḥak bar Yosef’s statement, that the entrance by which Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi entered the study hall did not have a mezuza, the Gemara asks: Is that so? But what of that entrance by which Rav Huna would enter the study hall, which had a mezuza? The Gemara answers: That entrance was the one through which all were accustomed to enter the study hall. By contrast, the entrance that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi used was a side entrance, which was designated for him alone. Consequently, it was exempt from the obligation to affix a mezuza, as Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: With regard to a mezuza, follow the entrance that people are accustomed to using.

אמר רבי זירא אמר רב מתנא אמר שמואל מצוה להניחה בתחלת שליש העליון ורב הונא אמר מגביה מן הקרקע טפח ומרחיק מן הקורה טפח וכל הפתח כולו כשר למזוזה

§ Rabbi Zeira says that Rav Mattana says that Shmuel says: It is a mitzva to place the mezuza at the beginning of the upper third of the doorpost. And Rav Huna says: One raises the mezuza a handbreadth from the ground, or one distances it from the cross beam, i.e., the lintel, a handbreadth, and the entire entrance between those two handbreadths is fit for the placement of the mezuza.

מיתיבי מגביה מן הקרקע טפח ומרחיק מן הקורה טפח וכל הפתח כולו כשר למזוזה דברי רבי יהודה רבי יוסי אומר וקשרתם וכתבתם מה קשירה בגובה אף כתיבה בגובה

The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita: One raises the mezuza a handbreadth from the ground, or one distances it from the cross beam a handbreadth, and the entire entrance between those two handbreadths is fit for the placement of the mezuza; this is the statement of Rabbi Yehuda. Rabbi Yosei says: The verse states: “And you shall bind them for a sign upon your arm” (Deuteronomy 6:8), and then it states: “And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house” (Deuteronomy 6:9). Just as the binding of the phylacteries is performed on the upper part of the arm, so too, the writing, i.e., the placement, of a mezuza must be specifically on the upper part of the entrance.

בשלמא לרב הונא הוא דאמר כרבי יהודה אלא לשמואל דאמר כמאן לא כרבי יהודה ולא כרבי יוסי

The Gemara explains the objection: Granted, according to Rav Huna, he states his ruling in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda; but according to Shmuel, in accordance with whose opinion does he state his ruling? It is not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, and it is not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yosei.

אמר רב הונא בריה דרב נתן לעולם כרבי יוסי

Rav Huna, son of Rav Natan, said: Actually, Shmuel’s ruling is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yosei,

ומאי תחילת שליש העליון דקא אמר להרחיקה שלא להרחיקה מן הקורה של מעלה יותר משליש

and what is the meaning of the phrase: The beginning of the upper third of the entrance, that Shmuel says? This is referring to the maximum distancing of the mezuza from the doorframe, i.e., that one should not distance it from the upper cross beam more than one-third of the height of the entrance.

אמר רבא מצוה להניחה בטפח הסמוך לרשות הרבים מאי טעמא רבנן אמרי כדי שיפגע במזוזה מיד רב חנינא מסורא אומר כי היכי דתינטריה

§ Rava says: It is a mitzva to place the mezuza in the handbreadth adjacent to the public domain. The Gemara asks: What is the reason for this? The Rabbis say that it is in order that one encounter the mezuza immediately upon one’s entrance to the house. Rav Ḥanina from Sura says: It is in order that the mezuza protect the entire house, by placing it as far outside as one can.

אמר רבי חנינא בוא וראה שלא כמדת הקדוש ברוך הוא מדת בשר ודם מדת בשר ודם מלך יושב מבפנים ועם משמרין אותו מבחוץ מדת הקדוש ברוך הוא אינו כן עבדיו יושבין מבפנים והוא משמרן מבחוץ שנאמר ה׳ שומרך ה׳ צלך על יד ימינך

The Gemara adds: Rabbi Ḥanina says: Come and see that the attribute of flesh and blood is not like the attribute of the Holy One, Blessed be He. The attribute of flesh and blood is that a king sits inside his palace, and the people protect him from the outside, whereas with regard to the attribute of the Holy One, Blessed be He, it is not so. Rather, His servants, the Jewish people, sit inside their homes, and He protects them from the outside. As it is stated: “The Lord is your keeper, the Lord is your shade upon your right hand” (Psalms 121:5).

דרש רב יוסף בריה דרבא משמיה דרבא העמיק לה טפח פסולה לימא מסייעא ליה הניחה בפצין או שטלה עליה מלבן אם יש שם טפח צריך מזוזה אחרת אם לאו אינו צריך מזוזה אחרת

Rav Yosef, son of Rava, taught in the name of Rava: If one dug one handbreadth deep into the doorpost and placed a mezuza there, it is unfit. The Gemara suggests: Let us say that the following baraita supports his ruling: In a case where one affixed a mezuza deep in the wooden doorpost of an entrance, or after placing it in the entrance one added [tala] an inner framework [malben] to it that covers the doorpost, if there is a depth of one handbreadth there, one requires another mezuza, but if not, one does not require another mezuza.

כי תניא ההיא בפתח שאחורי הדלת

The Gemara deflects the support: When that baraita is taught, it is referring to an entrance that is behind the door, i.e., there is another entrance on the other side of the framework, which serves for both entrances. The baraita is teaching that if the framework is one handbreadth thick, then each side is considered a separate entrance, and each requires its own mezuza.

הא בהדיא קתני לה פתח שאחורי הדלת אם יש שם טפח צריך מזוזה אחרת ואם לאו אינו צריך מזוזה אחרת כיצד קתני

The Gemara raises a difficulty: But the same baraita teaches explicitly this ruling of the case of another entrance: With regard to an entrance that is behind the door, if there is a depth of one handbreadth there, one requires another mezuza, but if not, one does not require another mezuza. The Gemara explains: This clause of the baraita is teaching which case is the subject of the previous clause, i.e., the baraita does not state two halakhot but only one, which it explains as it proceeds: In what case is it taught that if there is a depth of a handbreadth there, one requires another mezuza? It is taught in the case of an entrance that is behind the door.

תנא העמיד לה מלבן של קנים חותך שפופרת ומניחה אמר רב אחא בריה דרבא לא שנו אלא שהעמיד ולבסוף חתך והניחה אבל חתך והניח ולבסוף העמיד פסולה תעשה ולא מן העשוי

§ It is taught in a baraita with regard to the affixing of a mezuza: If one positions a mezuza in an entrance which was a framework of reeds, to which one cannot affix the mezuza with nails, he carves a kind of tube from the reed on the right side and places the mezuza in that tube. Rav Aḥa, son of Rava, says: They taught that one may affix the mezuza in this manner only in a case where one positioned the framework in its place first, and ultimately carved a tube and then placed the mezuza in it. But if before positioning the framework one carved a tube and placed the mezuza in it, and ultimately positioned the framework, the mezuza is unfit. This in accordance with the principle stated with regard to objects used for mitzvot: Prepare it, and not from what has already been prepared. In this case he affixed the mezuza before the obligation took effect with regard to the framework.

ואמר רבא הני פיתחי שימאי פטורין מן המזוזה מאי פיתחי שימאי פליגי בה רב ריחומי ואבא יוסי חד אמר דלית להו תקרה וחד אמר דלית להו שקופי

And Rava says: With regard to these broken entrances [pitḥei shima’ei], which lack the proper form of doorways, one is exempt from the obligation of placing a mezuza. The Gemara asks: What are broken entrances? Rav Riḥumi and Abba Yosei disagree with regard to this. One says that they do not have a proper ceiling, and one says that they do not have lintels [shakofei] above the openings.

אמר רבה בר שילא אמר רב חסדא אכסדרה פטורה מן המזוזה לפי שאין לה פצימין הא יש לה פצימין חייב לחיזוק תקרה הוא דעבידי

Rabba bar Sheila says that Rav Ḥisda says: With regard to a portico, i.e., a structure at the entrance to a house that is entirely open on its front side, one is exempt from the obligation of placing a mezuza, because it does not have doorposts [patzimin] on its sides. The Gemara questions this reason: This indicates that if it has doorposts, one would be obligated to place a mezuza. But that is not logical, as these doorposts are not there to serve as an entrance; rather, they are made to strengthen the ceiling. In that case, why should one be obligated?

הכי קאמר אף על פי שיש לה פצימין פטורה שאין עשויין אלא לחיזוק לתקרה אמר אביי חזינא להו לאיספלידי דבי מר דאית להו פצימי ולית להו מזוזתא קסבר לחיזוק תקרה הוא דעבידי

The Gemara answers: This is what Rav Ḥisda is saying: Even if it has doorposts, one is exempt from the obligation to place a mezuza there, because they are made only to strengthen the ceiling, not as an entrance. Similarly, Abaye said: I saw the porticos [le’ispelidei] of the house of the Master, Rabba, that they had doorposts but they did not have mezuzot. Rabba evidently holds that its doorposts are made to strengthen the ceiling.

מיתיבי בית שער אכסדרה ומרפסת חייבין במזוזה באכסדרה דבי רב אכסדרה דבי רב כאינדרונא מעלייתא הוא באכסדרה רומיתא

The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita: With regard to a gatehouse, a portico, and a balcony, one is obligated to place a mezuza. The Gemara answers: The halakha of the baraita is stated with regard to a specific type of portico, the portico of a study hall, which is closed on all sides, but its walls do not reach the ceiling. The Gemara raises a difficulty: A portico of a study hall is like a full-fledged room [inderona], and therefore it should not be labeled a portico with regard to the halakhot of mezuza. The Gemara answers: The halakha of the baraita is stated with regard to a Roman portico, which is more open than the portico of a study hall, as it is built with many windows instead of proper walls. The baraita is teaching that one is obligated to place a mezuza on this type of portico.

אמר רחבה אמר רב יהודה בי הרזיקי חייב בשתי מזוזות מאי בי הרזיקי אמר רב פפא סבא משמיה דרב בית שער הפתוח לחצר ובתים פתוחין לבית שער

§ Raḥava says that Rav Yehuda says: With regard to a bei harziki, one is obligated to place two mezuzot. The Gemara asks: What is a bei harziki? Rav Pappa the Elder says in the name of Rav: It is a gatehouse that opens to a courtyard, and houses also open directly to the gatehouse. It requires two mezuzot, one for the entrance from the courtyard to the gatehouse, and one for the entrance from the gatehouse to the houses.

תנו רבנן בית שער הפתוח לגינה ולקיטונית רבי יוסי אומר נידון כקיטונית וחכמים אומרים נידון כבית שער רב ושמואל דאמרי תרוייהו מגינה לבית כולי עלמא לא פליגי דחייב מאי טעמא ביאה דבית היא

The Sages taught in a baraita: With regard to a gatehouse that has two entrances, as it opens both to a garden, which is exempt from a mezuza, and to a small room [ulekitonit], Rabbi Yosei says: Its halakhic status is like that of a small room, and it requires a mezuza, and the Rabbis say: Its halakhic status is like that of a gatehouse, and it does not require a mezuza. There is a difference of opinion among amora’im with regard to this dispute. Rav and Shmuel both say: With regard to the entrance through which one enters from the garden to the house, i.e., the entrance of the gatehouse to the small room, everyone agrees that one is obligated to place a mezuza. What is the reason? It is the way of entering the house, and the house requires a mezuza.

כי פליגי מבית לגינה מר סבר קיטונית עיקר ומר סבר גינה עיקר

Rav and Shmuel continue: When they disagree it is with regard to the entrance through which one enters from the house to the garden, i.e., the entrance of the gatehouse to the garden. One Sage, Rabbi Yosei, holds that the small room into which the gatehouse opens is the main area, and therefore the gatehouse, which is used for entering the small room, is considered like a regular gatehouse to a house, and all its entrances require a mezuza. And one Sage, the Rabbis, hold that the garden is the main area, and therefore this entrance does not require a mezuza.

רבה ורב יוסף דאמרי תרוייהו מבית לגינה דכולי עלמא לא פליגי דפטור מאי טעמא פיתחא דגינה הוא כי פליגי מגינה לבית מר סבר ביאה דבית הוא ומר סבר כולה

Conversely, Rabba and Rav Yosef both say: With regard to the entrance through which one enters from the house to the garden, i.e., the entrance between the gatehouse and the garden, everyone agrees that one is exempt from placing a mezuza. What is the reason? It is the entrance to the garden, and the garden does not require a mezuza. When they disagree it is with regard to the entrance from the garden to the house, i.e., the entrance between the gatehouse and the small room. One Sage, Rabbi Yosei, holds that it is the way of entering the house, and the house requires a mezuza, and one Sage, the Rabbis, holds that the entire