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...
The Sandak at a Berit Mila
Reciting the Beracha of “Yesimcha Elokim Ke’Efrayim Ve’chi’Menasheh” at a Berit
Wearing Tefillin at One’s Son’s Berit
The Practice That a Mohel Serves as Hazzan on the Day of a Berit
Berit Mila – The Custom to Place the Foreskin in Earth
Is There a Concept of “Sandak” at the Berit Mila of an Adult?
Scheduling a Berit Mila if it Cannot be Performed on the Eighth Day
Determining the Time of Birth with Respect to Berit Mila; Scheduling a Berit Mila for a Child Born Late Friday Afternoon
Reciting She’hehiyanu at a Berit Mila
Is it Appropriate for a Mohel to Request Payment for Performing a Berit?
Berit Mila – When Does the Father Recite the Beracha “Le’hachniso Bi’brito Shel Abraham Abinu”?
Must the Father Formally Appoint the Mohel as His Agent?
Which Skin Must be Removed for a Berit Mila to be Valid?
Omitting Tachanun and Reciting Yehi Shem on the Day of a Brit Milah
If Two Brothers Died as a Result of Berit Mila
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found