Moving? Expanding Your Home? Renovating? Here are 10 Tips for Success

1. All human actions for the sake of heaven: The "Yesod Veshoresh HaAvodah" quotes the holy Zohar stating that a person should ensure all actions are for the sake of Hashem, by declaring verbally that every thing he does is for the sake of heaven, to avoid the influence of negative forces.

2. Declare that the home is for the sake of heaven: The Zohar advises that when building or buying a home from others, one should verbally declare that the home is for the sake of heaven and serving Hashem, ensuring divine purity rests upon it and attracting divine assistance. Failure to do so can invite negative forces, risking harm to the inhabitants.

3. Dedicate a special room for the service of Hashem: Rabbi Alexander Ziskind advises dedicating a specific room in the home for the service of Hashem, stating, "I am dedicating this room for fixed study sessions, both day and night." Similar advice is provided in "Kav Hayashar."

4. Establish the home on mitzvot: Netziv of Volozhin writes that one should establish the foundations of a home upon mitzvot. Thus, the holy Torah requires building a railing for a new house to begin its journey with a mitzvah.

5. First place the holy bookcase: According to "Sefer HaBayit," the Rebbe of Sanz zt"l recommended placing a bookcase of holy books immediately upon entering a new home and designating a study area.

6. Special care against theft: It is crucial to avoid any hint of dishonesty in matters of property acquisition. It is known from previous Torah leaders that a home with even one stolen nail cannot succeed in Torah study.

7. A sign that the house will not be destroyed: A sign that a house will stand forever is to leave an untouched area opposite the entrance, measuring 48x48 cm, as a remembrance of the destruction ("Moad LeKol Chai," quoting his father).

8. House dedication ceremony to repel harmful forces: It is recommended to hold a "Chanukat HaBayit" learning session in the new home before spending the first night there, as advised by Rabbi Chida zt"l, to repel harmful forces. This applies even when moving into a rental.

9. Protection from fire: The Talmud suggests that to prevent house fires, one should study Torah in the home every night.

10. Why is buying a home so challenging? According to "Yisrael LeSgulato," the difficulty in acquiring a home is partly due to the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, which left the Shechinah without a house. By empathizing with this divine suffering, one attracts divine assistance in finding a home.

10 Halachot from "Yalkut Yosef":

1. House dedication with songs and praises to Hashem: It is a holy custom to dedicate a new home or second-hand purchase with a gratitude meal including songs, praises, and Torah discussions.

2. Appropriate to recite the Shehecheyanu blessing on a new fruit: During the house dedication meal, it is customary for new homeowners to recite the Shehecheyanu blessing over a new fruit or garment, with the intent to include the new home and furnishings.

3. Advisable to paint before moving in: When acquiring a previously owned home, it is recommended to paint the home before moving in, as the environment influences residents, and painting nullifies past influences.

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4. Adding a room doesn't require a dedication ceremony: The custom of house dedication applies to new homes or purchased properties, not merely adding a room. However, related ceremonies might be appropriate depending on circumstances.

5. Even with a rented apartment: It is appropriate to hold a "Chanukat HaBayit" meal even when renting, and not exclusively when buying.

6. Avoid Shehecheyanu during the "Three Weeks": The custom is to refrain from the Shehecheyanu blessing from the 17th of Tammuz until after Tisha B'Av, affecting house dedication practices then.

7. Permissible for a contractor to continue work if begun before the "Nine Days": A contractor may proceed with painting if there is financial loss by stopping, but it is advised to seek rabbinical guidance for each case.

8. Leaving an area unpainted as a remembrance of destruction: Ever since the destruction of the Holy Temple, it is established to leave an area by the entrance unpainted as a remembrance.

9. Leaving an unpainted area even in a single room: This applies even in a single room used for non-sleeping purposes.

10. The great mitzvah of living in Israel: The mitzvah of living in Israel is incomparable, as it equates to all other mitzvot, especially when intending to fulfill land-dependent commandments.