State lawmakers do not pay rent for their office space in Albany. The offices are assigned by the leader of each house. Every two years the office is changed after Election Day as office space is often based on seniority. The doors in the Legislative Office Building, where most elected officials have their office across the street from the Capitol building, either have a door with an indentation or is flush with the wall.

The doors that are flush with the wall make it difficult to affix a mezuzah for all to see and are often on the inside of the doorpost.

Many Jews know that a mezuzah has a small parchment scroll inside a case affixed to the right side of a door as it opens. The inscription has the words from Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 11:13–21 and the name Shaddai. The scroll is affixed to the doorpost of Jewish households and businesses as a sign and reminder of one’s faith.

Of the 26 Jewish lawmakers in the Assembly and Senate, at last count six boast their Jewish pride by posting a mezuzah on their doorposts in Albany. One non-Jewish assemblyman, Andrew Hevesi (D–Forest Hills, Queens) has a mezuzah on his doorpost. When asked about it he said it was probably left over from the previous occupant of the office. He surmises it was Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee (D–Suffern, Rockland County) who was defeated in 2020. Hevesi said he didn’t want to take down the mezuzah in fear he didn’t know what would happen and out of respect for the religion.

After inquiring with some Jewish legislators who don’t post a mezuzah why they don’t, one who is religious said, according to halacha, it is not necessary because the office is rent-free. Apparently, if you don’t pay for office space or if it is a temporary place for work there is no need to affix a mezuzah. Some poskim claim it couldn’t hurt to post a mezuzah on such office space as long as a bracha is not said. For more detailed information about this issue, visit ohr.edu/8068.

The pictures will tell the tale.