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...
Non-Mevushal Wine Which is Moved or Touched by a Non-Jew (Summary)
May One give a Bottle of Non-Kosher Wine to a Non-Jew?
Is Rice Which is Cooked by A Non-Jew and then Dried-Out Permissible?
Treating Leftover Bread With Respect
An Explanation of Mevushal Wine
Wine Touched by Muslims Who Practice Monotheism
Cooking Dairy in a Meat Pot
The Prohibition of Poultry and Milk Together
The Prohibition of Meat and Milk Together
Kashrut: Deliveries of Fish
If a Non-Jew Pours a Cup of Wine, Does the Wine Remaining in the Bottle Become Forbidden?
If a Non-Jew Touched Kosher Wine Intentionally to Make it Forbidden; The Status of Wine Looked Upon by a Non-Jew
The Status of Kosher Wine That Was Mixed With Non-Jewish Wine
Under What Circumstances Does Wine Becomes Forbidden When it is Handled by a Gentile?
The Definition of Yayin Mebushal and the Status of Pasteurized Wine
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found