Mezuzah in AirBnB

Question

A Jew is traveling abroad and renting a house from a non-Jew for three months. Is he required to place mezuzot on the doorposts? Additionally, if mezuzot are required, what should he do if during those three months he leaves the house for 10 days, during which the owner might rent it out to other people, most likely non-Jews?

Answer

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

The Talmud tells us that “One who lives in a hotel in the Land of Israel, or one who rents a house outside of the Land of Israel is exempt from the mitzvah of mezuzah for thirty days. One who rents for longer than this is required to put up a mezuzah. However, one who rents a house in the Land of Israel is required to affix a mezuza immediately…” (Menachot 44a).

We see from here that one who lives a temporary residence outside the land of Israel does not require a mezuza. Under 30 days is considered to be temporary. For longer then 30 days a mezuza is required. So one needs to fix the mezuza from the  begining of his stay with a beracha.

 One should not leave the mezuzot in place during the brief rental to non-Jews. When refitting them one doesn't need to recite again a beracha .



Source

YD 285 and 286 with commentaries

Comments

Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)

Please sign up or log in to submit your comment

Become our partners in supporting and spreading the Torah. Help us answer more questions faster and better.
Next
More questions in this category
Positive and Negative Commandments