When the mezuzah bothers the neighbours

Question:

ll make this painful short. It’s about my mezuzah I never had any problems with it always in place for years. My entire life I lived with mezuzot apart when away and living temporarily in places. My parents always made sure of that. Quite frankly I don’t have any specific opinion about the matter. However I know it is a protective measure according to Jews, fine. But in the last few years I am suffering all the possible indignities from my neighbours who don’t have mezuzot. So my pertinent question is would they be thinking that god forbid if something bad was to happen in the area the neighborhood or the building that I may wish myself protection only but not to them too? What nonsense would that be? I don’t know if they can think so laterally but I know they display off behaviour as far as I am concerned it had literally made me sick. They sprawl on the entrance flloe right to my door dozens of shoes just like that. I would have gladly gotten away from a place like this only right in the next few months I can’t! Incidentally they may have pursued me to this building. We lived here before anyone else. I have lived in the past with neighbours and never ever have I encountered such haughtiness and repulsive behaviour I know also they take pleasure in doing as they please. Apart from you I don’t think anyone can do anything not even the police. They seem to be so we’ll connected that it would be a waste of time. Pharaoh and the dream of exodus I have them both when I open my door. They are also in agreable terms with the other neighbors including one with the mezuza. What can you advise

Answer:

Peace and Blessings

First I share your sorrow, it really sounds shocking and even antisemitic.

Regarding your question, insofar as you think this will help, you are entitled to move the mezuzah to the inside of the lintel, which is inside the house, so that the neighbors will not see it. Because in retrospect, the mezuzah is also kosher and will protect you with G-d’s help.

However, it is possible that the mezuzah is not the real reason for what bothers them, and if you take the mezuzah off, they will find another reason to bother you. Therefore, you should consider the matter, and see whether it is justified to move the mezuzah inwards into the house.

As a piece of advice, I would recommend that you catch one of the more gentle and calm neighbors, and start a conversation with him and ask him why they are harassing you, maybe the matter can be solved with a nice speech and an explanation of the mezuzah, which is simply mandatory in the Torah, and it is written there that we should remember Hashem when we enter and leave the house, and the mezuzah is not against anyone else.

In addition to everything, you will turn to G-d in a short prayer, which will remove all harassment from you and all that is bad, and with G-d’s help you will see a blessing that is comforting and joyful.

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