How to Affix a Mezuzah: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to affix a mezuzah correctly: the right doorpost, the proper height, Sephardic and Ashkenazi placement, the blessing, secure attachment and the most common mistakes to avoid.
Looking for the broader picture? Read our Complete Mezuzah Guide for the meaning of the mitzvah, scroll requirements, rooms that require a mezuzah, prices, checking and maintenance.
1. What is a mezuzah?
A mezuzah (מזוזה) is a handwritten parchment scroll, or klaf, containing the first two paragraphs of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 11:13–21). It must be written by a qualified Sofer STaM according to precise halakhic rules.
The scroll is rolled, protected inside a case and affixed to the doorpost. The case is not the mitzvah itself: the sacred handwritten parchment inside it is the essential element. For a detailed explanation of the scroll and its kosher requirements, see our complete guide to the mezuzah.
Torah source: “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” — Deuteronomy 6:9.
2. What you need before you begin
Prepare the scroll, case and fixing materials before reciting the blessing, so the mezuzah can be affixed without an unnecessary interruption.
Essential items
- A kosher mezuzah scroll written and checked by a qualified Sofer STaM
- A suitable protective mezuzah case
- Screws, nails or a genuinely strong, durable adhesive system
- The appropriate screwdriver, drill or mounting tools
Practical advice
- Avoid weak or temporary tape that may loosen and cause the mezuzah to fall
- For an exterior doorway, choose a weather-resistant case and protect the scroll from moisture and heat
- Never assume that a printed or souvenir scroll is kosher
Need a kosher, professionally checked mezuzah scroll?
3. Which doorways require a mezuzah?
The obligation depends on the room, its dimensions, its use and the structure of the entrance. The overview below is practical guidance, not a substitute for a case-specific ruling. See Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 286, and our room-by-room mezuzah guide.
| Room or doorway | Usual status | Important details |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance | Required | Usually the first doorway to address. |
| Bedrooms | Required | When the room and doorway meet the halakhic conditions. |
| Living or dining room | Required | Even an opening without a swinging door may qualify if it has proper doorposts and a lintel. |
| Kitchen | Generally required | Subject to size, use and doorway structure. |
| Bathroom or toilet | Exempt | A mezuzah is not affixed to the entrance of a bathroom or toilet. |
| Home office | Generally required | When regularly used and the relevant conditions are met. |
| Garage, storage room or cellar | Depends on the case | Use, dimensions and dignity of the space matter. Ask before reciting a blessing. |
| Balcony or terrace | Depends on the case | Read our dedicated balcony and terrace guide. |
About room size: the classic measure discussed is four cubits by four cubits—approximately 1.96 m × 1.96 m, or about 3.84 m² according to a commonly used contemporary estimate. Irregularly shaped rooms and borderline measurements require individual guidance.
4. How to affix a mezuzah in six steps
Confirm that the scroll is kosher
Make sure the parchment was handwritten by a qualified Sofer STaM and properly checked. Computer-assisted checking can help detect certain errors, but it does not replace a trained human examination.
Important: a printed scroll does not fulfil the mitzvah.
Roll and protect the parchment
The scroll is customarily rolled from left to right so that the beginning of the text is encountered when it is unrolled. It should be inserted upright, with the word שדי or the letter ש on the reverse facing outward where practicable.
The writing does not need to be visible through a window in the case. What matters is the correct orientation and proper protection of the parchment.
Identify the correct right-hand doorpost
The mezuzah is affixed on the right side when entering the home or room. At the main entrance this is generally straightforward. Between two interior spaces, however, the halakhic direction can depend on the normal flow of entry, the rooms’ uses and other structural factors.
Do not rely on the hinges alone. They can be relevant in some discussions but are not a universal rule. If the direction is unclear, send photographs of both sides of the doorway to a competent rabbi or Sofer.
Measure the correct height
Affix the mezuzah at the lower part of the upper third of the doorway height. It should also be placed within the doorway opening, on the doorpost, whenever the structure permits.
- 2.10 m doorway → the upper third begins at about 1.40 m
- 2.00 m doorway → about 1.33 m
- 1.80 m doorway → about 1.20 m
Basic calculation: doorway height × 2 ÷ 3.
Follow your community’s placement custom
The orientation differs between established customs:
↑
Affix the mezuzah vertically, following the Shulchan Aruch.
↗
Affix it on a slant, with the top leaning inward, following the Rema.
Recite the blessing and attach it firmly
Once everything is ready, recite the blessing immediately before affixing the mezuzah. Secure the case so that it is considered permanently attached and will not move or fall. Screws or nails are robust options; a strong long-lasting adhesive may also be suitable when it truly provides a firm attachment.
When affixing several mezuzot at the same time, one blessing can cover them all. Avoid unrelated conversation or unnecessary interruptions until the installation is complete.
5. The mezuzah blessing
Mezuzah blessing
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ
לִקְבֹּעַ מְזוּזָה
Baruch Atah Ado-nai, Elo-heinu Melech ha-olam,
asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu likboa mezuzah.
“Blessed are You, Hashem our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.”
When the obligation or the blessing is uncertain: examples may include a doubtful room, certain temporary rentals outside Israel, mobile dwellings or unusual doorway structures. Ask a competent halakhic authority before reciting the blessing. If the blessing was accidentally forgotten, the affixed kosher mezuzah is not invalidated.
6. Seven common mezuzah mistakes
The rule is the right side when entering, but the direction between two interior rooms sometimes needs case-specific analysis.
The case must be firmly attached. Replace deteriorating tape or adhesive before the mezuzah becomes loose.
Position it at the beginning of the upper third—not at the very top and not halfway up.
The scroll must be upright and correctly oriented inside a protective case.
A decorative case does not make the scroll kosher. Buy from a reliable Sofer STaM with traceable checking.
Heat, humidity, age and insects can damage parchment or ink. Mezuzot should ordinarily be checked twice in seven years; harsh conditions may justify more frequent checks.
The blessing should be recited when required, but forgetting it does not invalidate a correctly affixed kosher scroll.
Order a kosher mezuzah scroll
Our mezuzah scrolls are handwritten in Israel by a qualified Sofer STaM and undergo professional checking. International delivery is available.
International delivery · Secure payment · Personal guidance
Frequently asked questions
Which side of the door does a mezuzah go on?
A mezuzah is affixed to the right-hand doorpost when entering the home or room. Between two interior rooms, the direction can require closer analysis; normal use and traffic flow may matter, and hinges alone are not a universal test.
How high should a mezuzah be placed?
Place it at the lower part of the upper third of the doorway. For a 2.10 m doorway, the upper third begins at approximately 1.40 m from the floor.
Can a mezuzah be attached with double-sided tape?
A strong, durable adhesive can be acceptable if it creates a genuinely firm attachment. Weak, removable or deteriorating tape should not be used because the mezuzah may loosen or fall. Screws or nails are often the most robust choice.
Should a mezuzah be vertical or slanted?
According to Sephardic custom and the Shulchan Aruch, it is affixed vertically. According to the widespread Ashkenazi custom based on the Rema, it is placed on a slant with the top leaning inward.
How many mezuzot does a home need?
Potentially one for every qualifying doorway—not only the front entrance. Bedrooms, living areas, kitchens, offices and storage spaces may require mezuzot, while bathrooms and toilets are exempt. The actual number depends on room size, use and doorway structure.
When must a mezuzah be affixed after moving in?
In Israel, the residential obligation generally begins immediately. Outside Israel, a renter’s obligation generally begins after thirty days, while ownership and other circumstances may differ. If you wish to affix earlier or are uncertain about the blessing, ask a competent rabbi.
May mezuzot be removed when moving out?
As a general rule, mezuzot are not removed when the next occupant is Jewish. Different circumstances—including concern for loss or disrespect—can change the ruling, so ask before removing them. It is also wise to have the scrolls checked before reinstalling them elsewhere.
How often should mezuzot be checked?
Privately owned mezuzot should ordinarily be checked twice in seven years. Exterior mezuzot or scrolls exposed to moisture, heat or other harsh conditions may need more frequent inspection.
