DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

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

      
(File size: 786 KB)
Is It Permissible to Repair a Mezuzah or Door Knob on Shabbat?

In Siman 313, The Shulhan Aruch begins to outline the Halachot of "Boneh"-constructing on Shabbat. The Hachamim instituted a prohibition to return a door that has become dislodged to its place, out of concern that one will fasten it in place with a nail. Hacham Ovadia (Hazon Ovadia Shabbat Vol. 3, p. 10) discusses a case which is not included in this restriction: If a Mezuzah scroll falls out of its case on Shabbat, it is permissible to return it to its place. The scroll is not Mukse, because it is Kitveh Kodesh-holy scripture, and the Hachamim did not include such a case in their restriction.

The English Yalkut Yosef, as well as Shemirat Shabbat K'hilhata (23:32) discus a common case in which a door knob or door handle falls out of the door. They hold that it is problematic to return it to its place, as this would constitute "Boneh." It is better to use a screwdriver to open the door than to reinsert the handle, since a screwdriver is a Keli She'm'lachto L'isur and may be used L'sorech Gufo-for a permitted function. If the handle was designed to come in and out, it is permitted to reinsert it.

The new Mishna Berura Tiferet edition rules that a cobweb is Mukse and may not be broken by hand. If it is attached to the house it may also be an issue of Tolesh MeMehubar-detaching from the ground. If it was attached to a vessel, it is permitted to remove it utilizing Tiltul Min Ha'sad-indirectly, using a stick or the back of the hand.

SUMMARY
It is permissible to return a Mezuzah scroll to its case on Shabbat.
It is prohibited to return a fallen door knob.
Cobwebs may be removed only if not attached to the house and by indirect means.


 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Pesah – The Time for Bedikat Hames
Pesah- The Procedure for Bedikat Hamez
Pesah – Must One Search for Hames in the Areas Containing the Hames That He Sells?
The Special Reading on the First Thirteen Days of Nissan
Pesah – Is it Permissible to Eat Egg Masa on Pesah
Passover- Ve'higadeta Le'bincha - Sitting Next To One's Father-Son During The Hagaddah
Must One Perform Bedikat Hametz if He Goes Away for Pesah?
Pesah – Reciting Me’en Sheba on Pesah Night When it Falls on Shabbat
The Reasons for the Custom of Ta'anit Bechorim
Passover- Avoiding The Problem of A Drop of Hametz In Kosher for Pesach Food
Shabbat Hagadol
Pesah – Selling Hametz in a Case Where One Spends Pesah in a Different Time Zone
Pesah – The Second of the Four Cups of Wine
Laws and Customs of Ereb Pesah
Kimha De’pischa – Donating Charity to the Poor Before Pesah
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found