CCAR RESPONSA
New American Reform Responsa
141. Mezuzah on a Trailer
QUESTION: A young man has taken a position on an Indian reservation for a period of three months; he will live in a trailer. Is it appropriate to affix a mezuzah to the door of the trailer as this is only a temporary home? (Clark Fishman, Tuscon AZ)ANSWER: If a trailer is to be used for a very short time, as for example for a vacation, as I have seen often on family camping trips, then it is not necessary to affix a mezuzah. It is not required on a succah or a cabin on a ship, etc. (Shulhan Arukh Yoreh Deah 286.11 ff). Here, however, we are dealing with a semi-permanent residence which will be home for a period of time. He should, therefore, treat this as his permanent home and place a mezuzah on the door. Perhaps, as these trailers are treated with less care than a normal house, he should not leave the mezuzah when he moves (Shulhan Arukh Yoreh Deah 291.2) but remove it.December 1989
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