Removing the Mezuzah upon moving out of a home-Part 1

May a renter remove his Mezuzah upon moving out of the home-Part 1:[1]

Upon moving out of a rental home, the renter may not remove his Mezuzahs from the doors.[2] [This applies even if one plans to place the Mezuzos on the doors of his new home.[3] Furthermore, this applies even if a new renter is moving in simultaneously to his exiting the home and will replace the Mezuzos with his own Mezuzos.[4] Some Poskim[5] however rule that if one will not be able to find Mezuzahs for his new home, then he may remove the Mezuzos and immediately place them on the doors of his new home, even if the old home will remain without Mezuzos.[6]]

Rented from or to gentiles:[7] If the house was rented from a gentile, or will now be rented to a gentile, he is to remove the Mezuzos [immediately[8]] upon moving, [prior to the gentiles moving in[9]]. [This removal is an obligation.[10] This applies even if one knows that the gentile plans on renting it to another Jew.[11]]

Paying for the remaining Mezuzos:[12] When the renter leaves his Mezuzahs on the doors of the rented home, if he is particular on their cost, the second person[13] [the next renter who moves in[14], or the owner[15] if he is moving in[16]] must pay him for the Mezuzahs. [However, even if the person that moved in refuses to pay for them, the renter may nevertheless still not remove the Mezuzahs.[17]]

 

Summary:

Upon moving out of a rental home of a Jew, the renter may not remove his Mezuzahs from the doors even if he plans to place the Mezuzos on the doors of his new home and even if the new renter will replace the Mezuzos with his own Mezuzos. If, however, one will not be able to find Mezuzahs for his new home, some Poskim permit to remove the Mezuzos and immediately place them on the doors of his new home. When the renter leaves his Mezuzahs on the doors of the rented home, the next renter who moves in must pay him for the Mezuzahs. If the house was rented from a gentile, or will now be rented to a gentile, he is to remove the Mezuzos [immediately] upon moving, [prior to the gentiles moving in].

 

Q&A

If one sold his home to another Jew, may he remove the Mezuzos from the home?[18]

No. Furthermore, the Mezuzos are considered to be included within the sale of the house unless explicitly stated otherwise by the seller. Even in such a case [that it was explicitly stated otherwise], the seller may not remove the Mezuzos, but may demand compensation for their cost.

If one plans to demolish a room/house may the Mezuzos be removed?[19]

Yes. They may be removed as soon as one moves out from the home.

May the Mezuzos be removed if people will not be living in the house for a very long time?

No.[20] However some Poskim[21] are lenient in this matter.

 

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[1] Michaber Y.D. 291:2; Tur C.M. 314; Smeh C.M. 314:8; Bava Metzia 102a

[2] The reason: As this allows Mazikin [evil spirits] to enter the home, and it is thus considered as if one damaged the home with his bare hands. [Tosafos Bava Metzia 101b; Smeh ibid; Aruch Hashulchan 291:3] Alternatively, the reason is because there is danger that his children will die [as is told in Gemara that once a renter removed his Mezuzahs and he ended up burying his wife and two children]. [Bava Metzia 102a; Sefer Chasiddim; Beis Lechem Yehudah 291] Alternatively, the reason is because the Mezuzos draw the Shechina onto the home and when one removes it, it causes the Shechina to depart. [Ritva ibid] Alternatively, the reason is because the person entering the home may be lax in placing Mezuzos on the doorpost. [Birkeiy Yosef ibid; Rishon Letziyon 291] Alternatively, it is because it is a belittlement for a Mezuzah to sit idle without use. [Shelasos 126 Beshalach; First explanation in Tosafus Shabbos 22a]

[3] Tosafos Baba Metzia 101b; Ritva ibid; Implication of Michaber ibid, as brought in P”M 15 M”Z 2; Beis Yosef 291 in name of Tosafus; Darkei Moshe 291:1 in name of Hagahos Ashri; Beis Lechem Yehuda 291; See Birkeiy Yosef 291:3

The reason: As through removing the Mezuzos the Mazikin enter into the house and this causes damage to the new tenants. [Tosafus ibid] Alternatively, the reason is because the Mezuzos draw the Shechina onto the home and when one removes it, it causes the Shechina to depart. [Ritva ibid]

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that if one will immediately place the Mezuzos on the doors of his new home they may be removed just as is the law regarding Tzitzis, that one may remove Tzitzis from a Tallis if he plans to tie them to a different Tallis. [Rav Acha Mishavcha Gaon in Sheilasos Shelach; Ritva Bava Metzia in name of Rav Haiy Gaon; Nimukei Yosef in end of Hilchos Mezuzah [although leaves in Tzaruch Iyun]; First explanation in Tosafus Shabbos 22a, brought in Birkeiy Yosef O.C. 15 and Y.D. 391:3, brought in Pischeiy Teshuvah 391:7; Eshkol]

[4] Conclusion of Birkeiy Yosef 291:5, brought in Pischeiy Teshuvah 391:7; See there for the different sides for answering this question and that in conclusion it is logical to say the Sages did not differentiate in this matter.

[5] Birkeiy Yosef O.C. 15 and Y.D. 391:3, brought in Pischeiy Teshuvah 391:7, that in a time of need one may rely on the ruling of Rav Haiy and Rav Acha Gaon; Yad Avraham 291; P”M 15 M”Z 2

Other opinions: Some Poskim leave this ruling in question. [Aruch Hashulchan 291:3]

[6] The reason: This follows the reason of the Shelasos brought in previous footnotes.

[7] Michaber 291:2; Bava Metzia 102a

[8] Shach 291:3

[9] Shach ibid

[10] Sheilas Yaavetz 2:122, brought in Pischeiy Teshuvah 291:9

The reason: In order so the gentile does not cause the Mezuzah any belittlement. [ibid]

[11] Sheilas Yaavetz 2:122, brought in Pischeiy Teshuvah 291:9; Beis Lechem Yehudah 291

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that if one knows another Jew will be moving in it is forbidden to remove the Mezuzos. [Aruch Hashulchan 291:3; Shulchan Melachim 11:185]

[12] Rama 291:2; Sheilasos; Ritva; Beis Yosef in name of Rabbeinu Manoach

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule it is not necessary for the owner to pay the renter for his Mezuzos, but is simply a good act, and cannot be forced upon the owner. [Implication of wording of Beis Yosef in name of Rav Manoach that it is “a good thing to pay”; Ritva, brought in Shita Mekubetzes that it is only “possible” that he must pay]

[13] Literally “hasheyni” which means the second person.

[14] Bach 291; M”A 437:6 as explained in Machatzis Hashekel there; Chayeh Adam 15:23; Aruch Hashulchan 291:3; Igros Moshe 4:44

[15] See Pischeiy Shearim 291:12

[16] Seemingly one may only demand money from the owner if the owner is moving in, as if not, why should he need to pay for the renters Mezuzos if he has no obligation to have Mezuzos on his home being he is not living there. However, if new tenets or buyer enters the home they would be required to pay.

[17] Aruch Hashulchan 291:3

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that if the owner refuses to pay for the Mezuzos then the renter may remove them. [Ritva and Eshkol of Raavad, brought in Shita Mekubetzes, brought in Birkeiy Yosef 291:4, Chelkas Yaakov 3:160]

[18] Shivas Tziyon 110, brought in Pischeiy Teshuvah 291:8

[19] P”M 15 M”Z 2 regarding if people no longer plan to live in the building; Daas Kedoshim 291:1

[20] Sheilas Yaavetz 2:119; Minchas Yitzchak 10:96

[21] Chelek Halevi 114

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