DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

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

      
(File size: 1.33 MB)
Carrying on Shabbat: Defining a Garment

Wearing a Malbush (garment) in the Reshut Harabim (public domain) is not considerd carrying. The question is how to define a garment. According to the Halacha, "a Malbush for one is a Malbush for all." That is, any garment that is normally worn by a specific group of people will be considered a garment, even if worn by someone else, who would ordinarily not wear such clothing. For example, if shepherds wear sackcloth as their usual garb, then anyone else can also wear it on Shabbat. A contemporary application would be wearing Hasidic garb by a non-Hassid or vice-versa.

There is also a question as to whether it is permitted to wear oversized or loose fitting clothing in the public domain. The Halacha clearly established that loose fitting Jewelry is problematic, as it may fall off and be carried. The fact that Rambam explicitly prohibits only the loose-fitting jewelry, can be understood as a leniency with regard to the clothing. In fact, the Shulhan Aruch brings a "Yesh Omrim" (minority opinion) that it is prohibited to wear a loose hat on Shabbat. Again, it can be inferred that the majority opinion permits such a hat as well as other loose fitting clothing.

One of the defining characteristics of a garment is that it is meant to protect, cover or warm the body of its wearer. However, "Asuleh Tinuf", a garment or accessory designed to protect another garment being worn is not Halachically defined as a garment and may not be worn. Therefore, the Shulchan Aruch rules that a man may not wear a protective "Kis" (pocket) to protect his garments from being soiled by bodily emissions. Based on this principle, the question arises as to whether it is permissible to wear a raincoat on Shabbat? While one may argue that in the winter, a raincoat also serves to provide warmth, nevertheless, in the summer, its sole purpose it to protect one’s clothes from rain. The Shulchan Aruch rules that as long as the protective gear is worn in the normal manner that people wear a garment, it is permitted. The protective pocket is prohibited because that is not a normal type of clothing. Therefore, it is permitted to wear a raincoat in the public domain, even when it is not raining, and there is no concern that one will remove the raincoat and carry it.

SUMMARY
A piece of clothing ordinarily worn by one type of person, may be worn in the public domain by someone else who does not usually wear such a garment.
It is permitted to wear loose or oversized clothing in the public domain.
It is permitted to wear a raincoat in the public domain even when it is not raining.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
The Beracha Over Puffed Wheat and Granola Bars
Situations When One Does Not Recite a Beracha Before Drinking Water
Does One Recite “Ha’mosi” over Sweet Bread, or over So-Called “Mezonot Rolls”?
What Beracha Does One Recite on Pita Chips?
Which Beracha Does One Recite Over Pizza or Calzone?
What Must the Third Person Eat for Three People to Make a Zimun?
Reciting a Zimun if a Third Person Arrives After the First Two Finished Eating
Making a Zimun in a Moving Vehicle, Boat or Plane
Zimun If Ten People Ate Together But Not All of Them Ate Bread
Insight Into the Text of the Zimun
Can Three People Make a Zimun if One of Them Did Not Eat Bread?
Can a Minor be Counted Toward a Zimun?
Zimun in a Yeshiva Cafeteria
The Beracha Recited Over Chocolate Bars with Nuts, and Over Coated Almonds
Berachot If One Falls Asleep During A Meal
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found