7324 —קביעת מזוזה, מסורת חב"ד, והפצת המעיינות

B"H, 3 Sivan, 5720.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g vavac"h iy"a nu"n mo"h Shalom Rabkin

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 28th of Iyar, in which you write regarding the placement of a mezuzah. Among Chabad Chassidim there is a tradition from our Rebbeim—apparently going back to the Alter Rebbe—that one follows the position of the door hinge (heker tzir), even in a case like you describe with a balcony (in the Balkans) where entry is only possible through one of the house’s rooms. When asked how one would enter otherwise, they answered: by climbing through the roof. Rabbi Landau of Bnei Brak apparently heard an explicit directive on this from our Rebbe (the Rebbe Rashab) of blessed memory. Incidentally, also in the balcony of the Previous Rebbe’s apartment, the hinge was on the inside of the room and the mezuzah was affixed accordingly.

As is his way, he does not mention anything about spreading the wellsprings in our camp; may it be G‑d’s will that this established pattern be nullified. The main thing is that he should spread and spread [the wellsprings] until they reach even outside [the camp]. This year especially demands and requires increased activity in this matter since it marks two hundred years since the passing (yahrtzeit) of the Baal Shem Tov of blessed memory. And that is sufficient.

With blessings for good news and for receiving the Torah with joy and inwardness.

Summary

The Rebbe clarifies Chabad custom regarding mezuzah placement based on door hinges and encourages intensified efforts to spread Chassidus—especially significant in a year marking two centuries since the Baal Shem Tov’s passing.