Do beams need mezuzahs

Question:
Does the right beams in these pictures require a mezuza scroll to be mounted on them, since they resemble an entrance?
Answer:
These beams do not constitute a door post entrance, rather, they are intended to either support the roof or are for decoration purposes. In halacha this is called an "Achsadra,"as explained in Yoreh Deah 286:6, which is exempt from a Mezuza scroll. In general beams, pillars etc... are not regarded as door posts, however very easily the scenario can change the outcome of the halacha so it is always safer to ask when in doubt.

Mezuza on an angle and right side

Why is that the mezuzah’s are put up on an angle and on the right side of the door?

Placing the mezuza on an angle is actually an Ashkenaz custom, sefardim place the mezuza standing straight up. I placed your mezuzas on a slight angle because; a) your husband is Ashkenaz and b) all of your mezuzas are Ashkenaz script (sofrim call this ksav beis yosef).
The difference of custom is based on an argument between two of the rishonim (mid-evil Talmudic scholars) in interpereting a talmudic passage. Rashi holds a mezuza should be should stand straight up. Rabeinu Tam argued that a mezuza should be placed horizontally. The Rema 189:6( an ashkenaz halachik authority of the 16th century) writes that we can fulfill both opinions by placing the mezuza on a slant (so it is also standing and also laying down).

We place the mezuza on the right side of entry since the Torah uses the word ביתך "your house" concerning mezuzas, and the Talmud (Yoma 11) derives from the wording that the placing of the mezuzas need to be on the way you enter the door from the right side. As most move their right foot before their left foot to walk. A second reason is that many aspects in holiness we start from the right side first.

Mezuzah in an office

Question:
I work in a non-Jewish environment in my office, in fact I am the only Jew on my floor. Do I need to put a mezuza on my door of my office?

Answer:
The Rema in Yoreh Deah Deah 186:1 writes that a house shared with a non-Jew is exempt from a mezuzah, because, as the Rishonim explain, there might be a potential danger stemming from animosity. (Note that the Rashba and other poskim includinging the Bedek Habayis authored by Rav Yosef Kairo held that in the above case one is obligated to have mezuzahs since they are intended to protect the home {unless there was a true danger by placing them}).

Therefore the general topic is in dispute among the poskim, however, since your work room is designated for you and is not shared by others it would require a mezuza. This is similar to the case of a Jew and non-Jew living in the same home where the Jewish person would need to place a mezuza on his or her personal room (Responsa Shvut Yakov 3:89, this is when their is no suspected danger). Today, I would like to note that we are not living in the days of danger among hostile gentiles (like it was in the times when the Shulchan Aruch was written) and where religious freedom is widely tolerated.

With regard to whether or not you should make a blessing, in the case of an office, you would need to consult a Rav since it depends on your types of activity and time you spend in the environment of your office.

Mezuza that fell down/ Mezuza on a non Jew's room?

Question:
I have 2 questions for you Rabbi on Mezuzas.
1) My mezuzah fell off the door to the floor, is this a bad sign for the house anything that I should do?
2) Does my non Jewish maid who lives in our house need to have a mezuza on her door as well, since it is our home?

Answer:
In answer to question 1) Although not obligated, when a mezuzah falls from its correct place one should take that as a sign to check the mezuzah, (Shevet Ha'Keusi 1:275 ;Kitzur Yalkut Yosef v. 2 p. 750). Therefore maybe it is not such a bad sign just possibly a friendly reminder from Above. On a side note, if a mezuzah fell one would make a new blessing when affixing it up again (provided that the door would of needed to make a blessing in the first place, when in doubt verify with a competent Rabbi in these laws).

In answer to question 2) If your maid lives in a room in your house the Aruch Hashulchan 286:3 writes that the room still requires a mezuza on the door since the obligation of mezuza is incumbent on the house, not on the person. However the poskim stress that this is the case only if you or your family members enter the maids room occasionally or at least seldom (Pischei Shearim p. 132).
If one built a special back house for their maid to live in (i.e. not connected to the house) than it does not need a mezuza even though you technically own the back house (ibid).

Welcome to the Mezuzah blog

My name is Dovid Bressman, I am a Rabbi of Congergation Knesset Israel of Beverlywood, in Los Angeles California and I come into many halachik questions on ranging topics. I am also a Sofer/Magiah and I took the initiative to start a blog that will post articles on mezuza issues and also halachik articles in the topic of Sta"m (Sifrei Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzahs) that are pertinent and beneficial to Rabbi's and laymen alike. I will post on this blog questions that I was asked and I will answer them. Your posts and/or comments whether questions or essays are appreciated.
Hopefully we will also have some Torah scholars join the blog and be Mizake HaRabim. I would also like to thank Rabbi Moshe Weiner, a world renowned posek and author of many halacha books, who resides in Jerusalem, for giving me permission to post some of his articles. I would also like to welcome Rabbi Aryeh Schecter for joining this blog, he is a world renown posek in the laws of Mezuza posting and author of the sefer Pischei Shearim a Hebrew sefer on mezuzah posting.
May it be fulfilled very soon the prophesy of Isaiah 11:9 that states: "The world will be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the ocean bed"

If you want to make your own posts contact me at rabbibressman@gmail.com