By Rabbi Dovid Nissan Bressman
Is it proper to have an honorable person who is
great in Torah and mitzvos affix the mezuzos on a new house or building even
though he is not the owner? Would this be against the rule of “Mitzvah bo yoter meshlucho”( i.e., it is
better to do the mitzvah by oneself instead of having an agent do it)?
Having a Torah scholar affix the mezuzos is
acceptable and is not considered as one lacking in “Mitzvah bo yoter
meshlucho”[1]
for this is being done for the honor of the mitzvah by someone who is great in
Torah. The Talmd[2]
states: “Honor is [better served] by the eminent rather than the lowly.” In
fact the Talmud[3]
quotes that the Reish Geluta asked Rav Nachman to affix mezuzos
on his behalf since he wanted to honor a great person in this mitzvah. However,
it is proper for the owners to also physically participate in affixing some of
the mezuzos themselves.[4]
One should not delay the affixing of mezuzos after
one has moved into one’s home in order to wait for an honorable person to be
available to affix them.[5]
[1] Daas
Kedoshim 289:2 and Ohr Zeruah (128) hold that the rule of “Mitzvah
bo yoter meshlucho” only applies to betrothing a woman and Shabbos
preparations.
[2] Sotah
13b.
[3] Menachos
33a.
[4] Daas
Kedoshim 289:2 as explained by Halichos Olam (Parshah Ki Tavo Shana
Sheniah 8:12) in the footnote.
[5] Chovas
Hadar, Chapter 9, footnote 3.
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