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In light of recent events wherein vandals began burning mezuzot found on the doorways outside of people's houses, I am wondering if there is ever a reason to remove mezuzot to prevent their desecration. Meaning, if a person knows or suspects that a mezuzah in her home will be damaged either maliciously or by extreme weather (such as flooding) what is the proper thing to do, leave the mezuzah up or take it down temporarily?

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    Perhaps attach a protective cover that is fireproof and cannot be removed without a key?
    – Daniel
    Apr 10, 2013 at 20:43
  • @Daniel methinks when a bad person wants to do bad things they find a way. Also, not sure that would help in the case of a flood
    – user2110
    Apr 10, 2013 at 21:14
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    I seem to recall once reading that in renaissance Spain, some conversos put their mezuzot in their doorposts (carved out a niche, then covered it over). I don't know if it's true or, if true, valid, but maybe there's something to be learned down that path.
    – Monica Cellio
    Apr 10, 2013 at 21:32
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    @sam, Monica: שולחן ערוך יו"ד סימן רפט כיצד קובעה, ימסמרנה במסמרים במזוזת הפתח, או יחפור בה חפירה ויקבענה בה ולא יעמיק לחפור טפח בעומק, שאם עשה כן פסולה It seems you can have the scroll up to one tefach deep into the doorpost. He doesn't mention anything here about covering it over.
    – Double AA ♦
    Apr 11, 2013 at 2:26
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    In certain neighborhoods in Israel where Mezzuzot are known to disappear/be desecrated they are cemented into the doorpost(which is usually stone).
    – Rabbi Michael Tzadok
    Apr 11, 2013 at 13:31

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While I am not a rabbi, the general rule is that you don't flat out ignore a mitzvah unless there is some actual danger involved. If it is the mezuzah you are worried about, there are -- as has already been mentioned -- ways to protect them.

You can get waterproof mezuzah cases in either metal or plastic. As a sofer, I don't recommend the aluminum ones for outdoor mezuzot because they conduct heat which damages the ink and sometimes the parchment itself. here is one such case (no commercial affiliation.)

As Rabbi Tzaddok and others have mentioned, you can build a mezuza niche into your door, but it seems like an unnecessary expense and trouble. If you do, they are customarily left partially exposed so people know they are there. Covering the mezuza entirely might be a problem of מראית עין

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