Ask the Rov: Does an elevator require a mezuzah?

By Rabbi Chaim Hillel Raskin – Rov of Anash in Petach Tikvah

The Torah requires placing mezuzos “on the side posts of your house and on your gates.” All “gateways” leading to your house are considered entrances to the house, no matter how many one enters before reaching the house, even if that area is itself not suitable for dwelling (such as a hallway, stairwell, or antechamber).¹

(As an aside, since the first area itself is exempt, the mezuzah on the second door would always go on the right side entering the home, even if the door opens out. The same is true if it has the minimum size, but there is no use inside of it besides passing through.²)

Elevators essentially have two consecutive doorways — one that is stationary on each floor, and the inner doorway to the moving “cabin.” While some obligate the elevator cabin itself to have a mezuzah since it’s a room with a functional use,³ others argue that a moving room is lacking permanence and is exempt.⁴

However, the stationary doorway at each floor is a permanent entrance. While some argue that it’s not usable whenever the elevator cabin is at a different floor, others counter that this is its normal mode of use, and it is therefore obligated.

The determination of the “right” side follows the direction of entry. Therefore, following the same principles as with a stairwell, the mezuzah on the ground floor should be on the right going in, and the higher floors, on the right side going out.⁵

It is reported that once, when the Rebbe entered the elevator in 770, he touched the doorpost and asked about a mezuzah. As a result, a mezuzah was affixed on the elevator’s doorpost.⁶ (At first, it was placed on the right side going in — even though the stationary door opens out — but later it was switched to the right side coming out. The Rebbe touched the mezuzah in both places and did not take a side.⁷)

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From The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash