Q. Hello Rav, this one is a bit urgent.
Last year we had to re-do our kitchen. We ended up completely covering a window with cabinets. A rav we asked said it was fine because the window is still fully intact and can be seen from outside the house, but on the inside all you see is kitchen cabinets. We never thought about it again until several little things started to go wrong in the kitchen. We are are wondering if this situation is a problem with "sheidim" or not and what is the best way to fix is (drill a hole?) if it is a problem. Additionally, we are doing a basement renovation now and there is another window that is going to be covered up in the exact same way, so we want to know what to do for this one as well because they will probably be covering it up next week.
Thanks so much
A. Not covering completely a window, is mentioned on the Tzavaah of Rabi Yehuda Hechosid (20) and Sefer Chasidim (1146) to avoid creating a danger, since the sheidim may be using that window as an entrance and it angers them if the window is removed or totally covered.
Mibeis Levi (p.1150 mentions that leaving a small tube with a” mashehu” or minimal opening is enough. It could be angled, covered by a picture or a temporary plug.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one may leave a small opening on the back of the cabinet and it will suffice.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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