Rav Binyomin Zilber: The Irony of Homes in Chutz La'Aretz
The Shulchan Aruch paskens that you must leave a space of an Amah by an Amah unpainted opposite your front door. The Mishna Brura and many recent Acharonim all try to justify the fact that most people do not keep this minhag today. All of these arguments are admittedly weak justifications and include fear of the goyim and a different kind of paint than what the gemara referred to.
Many gedolim always kept this minhag. In Eretz Yisroel most people keep this minhag. Rav Binyomin Zilber in his sefer Az Nidbiru notes that it is ironic how in Eretz Yisroel where we don't need any reminders about the Churban since it is always before us, we keep this minhag. Yet in Chutz La'aretz where people build their lives and homes without giving thought to the possibility of Moshiach's imminent arrival, they do not bother with this important minhag.
Anonymous, 2010-07-22 12:53:12 Actually, this din in Shulchan Aruch is only incumbent upon someone who BUILDS his own home, which probably eliminates more than half of AmericaAnonymous, 2010-07-22 20:45:12 The Mishna Brura says that if you bought the house from a Jew and he did not leave an Amah al Amah, then you are obligated to do so.
The Arugas HaBosem says that even if you bought it from a Non-Jew, if you are painting you must leave an Amah.
The Pri Megadim says that even if you are renting, if you paint, you must leave the Amah.
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