mezuzah not "crooked"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the ones I've seen are at an angle - I would change it (it doesn't take much effort). And i'm a Christian who would notice that you have it straight up and down and if close to you would ask you why.

Seriously? You would point that out? Who cares?

Muslim here, and I would notice too. If I knew the people decently well, I might ask out of curiosity why it was up and down. Not with judgment, but just wanting to learn.

I am not religious. And even i would think it odd that you hung it straight up and down. I just know they are supposed to be at an angle, so it would seem odd to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the ones I've seen are at an angle - I would change it (it doesn't take much effort). And i'm a Christian who would notice that you have it straight up and down and if close to you would ask you why.

Seriously? You would point that out? Who cares?

Muslim here, and I would notice too. If I knew the people decently well, I might ask out of curiosity why it was up and down. Not with judgment, but just wanting to learn.

I am not religious. And even i would think it odd that you hung it straight up and down. I just know they are supposed to be at an angle, so it would seem odd to me.

But it is not wrong to be hung up. It is wrong to not hang one at all (which is what I do, partially to avoid these crazy debates).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The whole point of that law was that no one should hesitate putting up a mezuzah for fear that it isn't straight! But now you are thinking of taking it dtown for fear that it isn't crooked? That defeats the entire law. NO, you are not supposed to ake down a mezuzah, so do not take it down.

-- Observant Jew

Yup! I totally agree with this! I'll add the tilting is also a tradition/superstition thing, so the good luck flows into the room. You hand your mezzuza however you please. The constant commentator is obnoxious and out of place.

[Anonymous]

The Ashkenazic (Eastern European) tradition is to hang a mezuzah at an angle. Ashkenazim are the culturally most-visible Jewish ethnic group in the US, but Ashkenazic practice isn't the be-all and end-all of Judaism. Sephardim (Jews of Spanish/Mediterranean descent) hang their mezuzahs straight up and down.

Bottom line - your mezuzah is kosher. Tell your busybody relative that you are following the Sephardic custom by hanging the mezuzah straight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Ashkenazic (Eastern European) tradition is to hang a mezuzah at an angle. Ashkenazim are the culturally most-visible Jewish ethnic group in the US, but Ashkenazic practice isn't the be-all and end-all of Judaism. Sephardim (Jews of Spanish/Mediterranean descent) hang their mezuzahs straight up and down.

Bottom line - your mezuzah is kosher. Tell your busybody relative that you are following the Sephardic custom by hanging the mezuzah straight.

Not OP, but LOVE this -- thanks for adding this fact. I really wish Sephardic customs were more prevelant in the US, because a lot of them are beautiful (henna painting, etc) and I don't know them. I would love to learn more! (Also, I'm a Director of Education for our shul so I will add anything you post to our religious school!).