Closing up a window or door

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Closing up a window or door:[1]

One may not completely [and permanently[2]] close off a window or door, being that demons use openings to enter and exit and hence can lead to danger. Rather one must leave a small hole in the area. [The custom is to place a hollow tin can that is open from both ends within an area of the window or door, and the remaining area may then be closed up. So was the custom of the Tzemach Tzedek.[3]] 

Q&A

How large must the hole be?[4]

The hole can be of any size.

May one cover over the hole:[5]

Yes. The hole may be covered over by any material that can be , so long as the hole remains hollow inside.

May one completely close up a door or window if there is another exit adjacent to it?[6]

No.[7]

May one close a window or door if he plans to leave it closed for a very long time?[8]

Yes.

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[1] Tzavah Yehuda Hachassid 20; Sefer Chassidim 461; 1146; brought in Kaf Hachaim 116/122

[2] However one may completely close off an opening for temporary basis, such as to close a window or door of a room, even if he plans to leave it closed for a very long time.

[3] Shivim Temarim 23 p. 60

[4] Shemiras Hanefesh p. 15

[5] Shivim Temarim 23 p. 60

[6] Sefer Chassidim 461; 1146

[7] The reason: As angels and demons only have permission to use a specific exit. 

 

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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