Renting or buying a house in Eretz Yisrael:[1]
One of the unique distinctions between Eretz Yisrael and the Diaspora regarding the mitzvah of Mezuzah concerns rented and borrowed homes. Outside of Eretz Yisrael, Chazal granted a thirty-day exemption to one who rents or borrows a residence, and therefore the strict obligation of Mezuzah does not begin immediately upon moving in. In contrast, Eretz Yisrael was given special status, and the Sages required that a Mezuzah be affixed immediately from the first day of occupancy. This enactment was made in order to strengthen Jewish settlement of the Land and emphasize the enduring connection between the Jewish people and their homes in Eretz Yisrael.
Accordingly, in Eretz Yisrael there is generally no distinction between purchasing a home and renting a home regarding the timing of the obligation. In both cases, the resident is required to ensure that the house is protected by Mezuzos from the moment he begins living there. This stands in sharp contrast to the general law in the Diaspora, where a renter technically may delay affixing Mezuzos for thirty days.
- Purchased Homes in Eretz Yisrael and Diaspora[2]
When a person purchases a home, whether in Eretz Yisrael or the diaspora, he is obligated to place Mezuzos immediately upon taking occupancy.
There is no waiting period whatsoever.
The obligation begins:
- From the first day he lives in the residence.
- Even if he has only recently moved in.
- Even if he is still unpacking and settling the home.
- Rental Homes in Eretz Yisrael[3]
Unlike the Diaspora, a person who rents a home in Eretz Yisrael is likewise obligated to place Mezuzos immediately.[4]
Thus:
- A rented apartment requires Mezuzos immediately.
- A rented house requires Mezuzos immediately.
- A borrowed home requires Mezuzos immediately.
The obligation begins as soon as the person moves in.
- Contrast With the Diaspora
Outside of Eretz Yisrael, while a purchaser must place Mezuzos immediately as stated above, a renter or borrower is technically exempt for the first thirty days[5], as it is yet to be defined as a set place of living.[6] Therefore, in the Diaspora there exists a distinction between ownership, and renting. In Eretz Yisrael, however, no such distinction exists. Both are obligated immediately.
- Chabad Custom in the Diaspora[7]
Although the strict law exempts a renter in the Diaspora for thirty days, the current[8] Chabad custom, as noted already in previous Poskim[9], following the Rebbe’s directive, is to place Mezuzos immediately upon moving in even to a rented home. The Mezuzos are affixed:
- Immediately,
- Without a blessing.[10]
After thirty days:
- One Mezuzah is removed for checking or replacement,
- A blessing is recited on the replacement Mezuzah,
- The blessing covers all the Mezuzos in the home.
Despite this custom, the fundamental halachic distinction remains: in the Diaspora the initial thirty-day period is technically exempt, whereas in Eretz Yisrael the obligation itself begins immediately.
Two-Sentence Summary
In Eretz Yisrael, every Jewish residence requires Mezuzos immediately upon occupancy, whether the home is purchased, rented, or borrowed. This differs from the Diaspora, where a renter or borrower is technically exempt for the first thirty days, although the widespread Chabad custom is to place Mezuzos immediately without a blessing.
Quick Reference Table
| Residence Type | Eretz Yisrael | Diaspora |
| Purchased home | Immediate obligation | Immediate obligation |
| Rented home | Immediate obligation | Exempt first 30 days |
| Borrowed home | Immediate obligation | Exempt first 30 days |
| Chabad custom for rental | Immediate placement | Immediate placement without blessing |
| Hotel room | Generally exempt | Generally exempt |
Practical Examples
Example 1
A family purchases an apartment in Jerusalem and moves in on Sunday. Mezuzos must be affixed immediately upon occupancy.
Example 2
A young couple rents an apartment in Beit Shemesh. Even though they do not own the apartment, they must place Mezuzos immediately upon moving in.
Example 3
A yeshiva student borrows a residential apartment in Tzfas for several months. The Mezuzah obligation begins immediately upon taking residence.
Example 4
A family rents a home in New York for six months. Strictly speaking, they are exempt for the first thirty days, although Chabad custom is to place Mezuzos immediately without a blessing.
Example 5
A person purchases a house in Toronto. Since ownership creates an immediate obligation, Mezuzos must be installed upon moving into the home.
[1] Michaber Y.D. 286:22
[2] Implication of Michaber Y.D. 286:22 as learns Gilyon Maharsha 286; Bahag 26; Teshuvos Hageonim Shaareiy Teshuvah 1567; Sefer Haeshkol Mezuzah 76; Sefer Hachinuch Mitzvah 423; Miseches Mezuzah 2:11; in name of Tosafus Avoda Zara 26a; Avnei Nezer Y.D. 381:4; Daas Torah 286; Parsha Sedurah 58; Sheilas David Y.D. 8; Shaareiy Hamezuzah 16:8
[3] Michaber and Rama Y.D. 286:22; Menachos 44a
[4] The Reason for the Difference: Chazal instituted that rental homes in Eretz Yisrael require Mezuzos immediately in order to strengthen and promote the settlement of Eretz Yisrael. Accordingly, the Sages treated residency in Eretz Yisrael more stringently than residency elsewhere. [Michaber ibid]
[5] Michaber Y.D. 286:22; Shach 286:22; Hagahos Rav Akiva Eiger 286 in name of Beis Yehuda Y.D. 19; Pischeiy Teshuvah 286:17 in name of Ashel Avraham and 286:18; Yosef Ometz 30; Siddur Derech Hachaim; Nachalas Tzevi 286; Daas Kedoshim 286; Minchas Yitzchak 10:92; Igros Kodesh 13:169; 15:389
[6] Shach 286:28
[7] Igros Kodesh 13:169; 15:389 [printed in Shulchan Menachem 5:226; Shaarey Halacha Uminhag 3 126]; See also
[8] Custom of Rebbe Rashab: There is however a testimony from Rav Yaakov Landau OBM that the Rebbe Rashab waited approximately two weeks before placing on the Mezuzahs. The reason for this was told to Rav Landau from the Friedeker Rebbe in the name of his father, that the Mezuzah is a makif, and being that one needs to draw the makif inwards, it requires Avodah, which thus caused the delay of putting up the Mezuzah. The Rebbe Rashab stated that “In my home not one splinter of wood will remain unrefined. The Rebbe however explained that this custom of the Rebbe Rashab is not a custom meant for the public, as we are not on levels in which we can affect the drawing of the makif inwards through our Avodah, and thus there is no reason to delay placing on the Mezuzahs as soon as one moves in. [Rebbe ibid]
[9] See Hagahos Rav Akiva Eiger 286 in name of Beis Yehuda Y.D. 19; Pischeiy Teshuvah 286:17 in name of Ashel Avraham and 286:18; Yosef Ometz 30; Siddur Derech Hachaim; Nachalas Tzevi 286; Daas Kedoshim 286; Minchas Yitzchak 10:92
[10] Other opinions: The Pischeiy Teshuvah 286:17 brings the Ashel Avraham which allows one to even say a blessing if he so chooses, even when placing the Mezuzah prior to thirty days. He writes that it is similar to a borrowed Tallis of which the blessing is optional for the first thirty days.