What Should I Do If My Son's Mezuzah Fell?

Greetings,

1. There is no need to fast or give charity (see the book "Hilchot Olam" Part 8, page 271, which notes that if a mezuzah falls from one's hand to the ground, it is good to give money to charity instead of fasting. However, here since the mezuzah did not fall from your hand, it is easier).

2. You should affix the mezuzah again, and you can do this yourself, as a woman is also permitted to affix a mezuzah (see "Shevet Halevi" Part 2, Responsum 178, note 3; "Hilchot Olam" there, page 275; and "Asheri Ha'ish" Part Yoreh De'ah, Part 2, Chapter 64, Section 7).

There is a debate among the poskim whether to recite a blessing upon reaffixing it, and according to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l, one should not recite a blessing (see "Yabia Omer" Part 3, Part Yoreh De'ah, Responsum 17, note 11; and "Hilchot Olam" there, page 271).

3. You must ensure to affix the mezuzah with nails or strong adhesive, etc., so that it does not fall again (see "Shulchan Aruch" Yoreh De'ah, Section 291, Section 4; and "Yichave Da'at" Part 6, Responsum 58).

Best regards,

Hillel Meirs