Many homes do not have a mezuzah in every place that requires one. For example, utility rooms and garages require a mezuzah (see Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 286:2). Many families also do not have mezuzot affixed to their walk-in closets or entrances to porches. We shall discuss whether this practice is correct.

The Four Amah Requirement: Rambam vs. Rosh

The Gemara (Sukkah 3a) teaches that we are not required to attach a mezuzah to a house that is smaller than 4 amot (cubits) by 4 amot. The Rishonim debate whether the Gemara requires a minimum length and width of 4 amot (Rosh Hilchot Mezuzah number 16) or just an area of 16 square amot regardless of length and width (Rambam Hilchot Mezuzah 6:2). For example, if an area is 8 amot long and 2 amot wide, it is 16 amot square, but is not 4 amot wide. In such a case, a mezuzah is required according to the Rambam but not according to the Rosh. This issue is quite relevant to many walk-in closets.

The Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 286:13) rules in accordance with the view of the Rambam. The Shach (ad. loc. number 23), however, notes that Rabbeinu Yerucham agrees with the Rosh.

The Shach therefore concludes that one should affix a mezuzah in such a situation in accordance with the Rambam, but should omit the bracha in deference to the Rosh. Alternatively, if one attaches mezuzot to an area of such dimensions on the same occasion as he affixes a mezuzah to an area that certainly requires a mezuzah, one should recite the bracha before affixing the mezuzah to the latter area and bear in mind that the bracha should also apply to the attaching of the mezuzah to the former area. The Aruch HaShulchan (Y.D. 286:21) and Yalkut Yosef (Y.D. 285:24) follow the Shach.

Twentieth-century poskim debate the size of an amah. Rav Avraham Chaim Naeh rules that it is 18.9 inches, while the Chazon Ish believes it is 22.8 inches. Rav Moshe Feinstein (Teshuvot Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 1:136) believes that an amah is 21.25 inches. Sephardic and Yemenite practice is in accordance with Rav Naeh’s view.

Walk-in closets that are 4 amot long and 4 amot wide are no different than any other room, and require a mezuzah according to all opinions.

Teshuvot Chamudei Daniel

Most walk-in closets do not encompass an area that is 16 amot square and would seem not to require a mezuzah. However, Teshuvot Chamudei Daniel (cited in Pitchei Teshuva Y.D. 286:11) severely limits the Gemara’s exemption of an area of less than 4 by 4 amot. He rules that this exemption applies only to an entire residence that is less than 4 by 4 amot. However, if an area of a house (such as a walk-in closet) is normally less than 4 by 4 amot, it requires a mezuzah.

Teshuvot Minchat Yitzchak (4:92) notes that many Acharonim agree with the Chamudei Daniel. On the other hand, Rav Ovadia Yosef (Teshuvot Yechave Daat 4:51) notes that many poskim disagree with the Chamudei Daniel.

The Chamudei Daniel’s ruling applies only to an area that one enters. Thus, if the Teshuvot Chamudei Daniel is accepted, a mezuzah is required to be affixed on the right side (as one enters) of a walk-in closet. All agree that an area that one does not enter, such as a pantry or closet that is not a walk-in, does not require a mezuzah.

Rav Akiva Eiger

Rav Akiva Eiger (Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 286:13) places a further limitation on the 4 by 4 amot exemption. He believes that it does not apply if the area that is less than 16 square amot leads into an area that requires a mezuzah. He rules that one is required to affix a mezuzah to the right side as one leaves the small area into the larger area. Even though the small area is in and of itself exempted from a mezuzah, one is required to affix a mezuzah just as one places a mezuzah on the doorway to his home. In that case, one places a mezuzah on the right side entering the house, since one enters from an area that does not require a mezuzah (the outside) to an area that requires a mezuzah (one’s home). According to Rav Akiva Eiger, one places a mezuzah on the right side as one leaves a walk-in closet if it enters a room that requires a mezuzah such as a bedroom.

However, according to the Chamudei Daniel’s approach, one is required to affix a mezuzah on the right side as one enters a walk-in closet. Poskim must decide whether to follow Rav Akiva Eiger or the Chamudei Daniel.

Although the Aruch HaShulchan (Y.D. 286:23) rules in accordance with Rav Akiva Eiger, some Acharonim dispute or limit his view. Rav Moshe Feinstein (Teshuvot Igrot Moshe Y.D. 1:181) writes that Rav Akiva Eiger’s assertion is “bewildering” and “one is not required to accommodate his view.” Rav Ovadia Yosef (ad. loc.) also does not consider the opinion of Rav Akiva Eiger.

Porch

A similar issue applies to affixing a mezuzah to a porch or deck. A porch would seem not to require a mezuzah, since it does not have a roof (Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 286:14). However, one could claim that it does require a mezuzah either because it is normal for a porch not to have a roof (similar to the approach of the Chamudei Daniel) or that one should affix the mezuzah on the right side as one enters the house from the porch based on Rav Akiva Eiger. The Aruch HaShulchan (ad. loc.) applies Rav Akiva Eiger’s ruling to an area that does not have a roof.

Contemporary Poskim

The Chazon Ish (Y.D. 168:5) rules that one should affix a mezuzah on the right side as one enters a house from a porch, while Rav Ovadia Yosef (ad. loc.) cites many poskim, such as Rav Yaakov Emden and Rav Shlomo Kluger, who rule that it should be placed on the right side as one leaves one’s home to enter the porch. Rav Yosef concludes that essentially a porch does not require a mezuzah, but it is preferable to do so. Rav Yosef rules that those who affix a mezuzah to their porch entrance should do so on the right side as one leaves the house to enter the porch.

Conclusion

Many individuals do not have mezuzot attached to their walk-in closets, and they certainly have many opinions upon which to rely. One who adopts the strict view and attaches a mezuzah to a walk-in closet (either to the right or left side) should omit the bracha to satisfy those who rule that walk-in closets do not require a mezuzah.

One should inquire of his rav as to whether walk-in closets and porches require a mezuzah and to which side it should be affixed. I recommend inviting one’s rav to conduct a virtual inspection of his home to ensure that mezuzot are affixed in all of the required areas and that they are attached to the proper side of the doorway.

Rabbi Haim Jachter is the spiritual leader of Congregation Shaarei Orah, the Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck. He also serves as a rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and a dayan on the Beth Din of Elizabeth.