DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 574 KB)
Is it Permissible to Carry a Child While He is Holding a Mukse Object?

The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 309:1) rules that it is forbidden on Shabbat to carry a young child who is holding in his hand an item that is considered Mukse (forbidden to move on Shabbat). For example, a ball is considered Mukse for adults, but is permissible to be handled by children. While a child holds a ball in his hand, it is forbidden for an adult to carry the child on Shabbat. The same applies if the child holds in his hand a pen, a coin or a dollar bill. If a child holds a Mukse item in his hand, then an adult who carries the child is considered as though he carries the Mukse item, and this is therefore forbidden.

The Shulhan Aruch adds that if the Mukse item is an object of value, such as if the child holds a $20 bill in his hand, then one may not even walk the child by holding his hand. The Sages were concerned that if one holds the child’s hand, and the valuable object drops, the adult may pick the item off the ground, in violation of Shabbat. They therefore forbade even holding a child’s hand while he holds a valuable Mukse object.

The Kaf Ha’haim (Rav Yaakob Haim Sofer, Baghdad-Israel, 1870-1939) writes that there is room to be lenient in this regard under extenuating circumstances. If, for example, the child is crying, frightened or for some other reason desperately needs to be held, and he refuses to put down the Mukse object, then one may carry the child. Under normal situations, however, one may not carry a child while he holds a Mukse object.

Summary: It is forbidden on Shabbat to carry a child while he holds in his hand a Mukse object, and if the Mukse object is valuable, one may not even hold the child’s hand. This is permissible only under extenuating circumstances, such as when a child is frightened and refuses to let go of the object.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Determining the Yartzeit of Somebody Who Passed Away During Adar Rishon
How to Determine the First Yartzeit During a Leap Year
When Should A Mourner Begin To Sit Shiva If Remaining Out Of Town Away From The Place of The Funeral and Burial
Is It Permissible To Place Memorial Tomb Stones At The Graves of Tzadikim
Visiting A Grave Twice In One Day, and Reciting A Pasuk At A Grave
Yichud- (Series Conclusion) Can A Stranger Be Alone With A Mother And Daughter
Yichud- Is It Permissible For A Man and Lady To Be Alone In The Back of A Limousine or Ambulance
Yichud- How The Laws of Yichud Apply In An Office
Yichud- Can A Young Boy's Presence Protect Against Yichud
Yichud- Can A Young Girl Also Protect Against Yichud As A Wife Does Through The Leniency of ‘Ishto Imo’
Yichud- Some Questions and Exceptions On ‘Ishto Mishamarto’- (The Leniency When A Wife is With Her Husband)
Yichud- Is It Permissible For A Lady To Be Alone With A Male Doctor
Yichud- Is It Permissible for A Man and A Woman To Be Secluded In A Car
Yichud- Is It Permissible To Ride In An Elevator Alone A With A Lady
Yichud- Can An Unmarried Female Baby Sitter Be Alone Watching Young Boys
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found