Checking Mezuzot
Question
We reside in Israel. We moved a month ago into a new flat. We put mezuzot up from the previous flat before checking them. We took the down shortly afterwards to check. One was with a defect. Now we wish to put them back up. Should we wait till we buy a new one in its place or put the remainder up at once? Do we say the bracha and if so, now or with the new one?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
To by means of introduction, allow me to remind readers that mezuzot must be checked “twice in seven years,” or once every three-and-a-half years. The reason for the check is that over time mezuzot are known to become worn out and thereby invalid. As a general rule, a non-kosher mezuza cannot be fixed.
Unfortunately many people are not careful with the requirement to check mezuzot. This might be due to the difficulty in removing and replacing so many mezuzot or due to a mistaken fear that removing mezuzot for a short period of time can bring bad luck, and the like. This is of course not true, and in fact only good luck can come when performing mitzvot!
In a time of need, one can even check one’s own mezuzot by ensuring that none of the letter have faded and the like (if originally it was validated as kosher by a sofer). One can then show any question to a rabbi.
Returning to your questions, it sounds to me that all the mezuzot have been off for more than 24 hrs.
As such, a blessing is recited when putting them back up.
When one plans to put up a few Mezuzot at the same time, then the blessing is made on the first mezuza to be put up, the first Mezuza that one recites the blessing on, should be for a room that is obligated to have a mezuzah Mi'deorayta, which means a room that is a minimum of 2:40 times 2:40 meters square then the blessing will include the other mezuzot.
It is extremely important to get mezuzot up on all doors without delay. Definitely put up the one’s you have prioritizing the front and back doors and then the bedrooms, but make no mistake, all doorposts require a mezuza equally (with the exception of the bathroom, and the like).
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