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...
“Ata Honantanu” and “Baruch Ha’mabdil” When Tisha B’Ab Begins on Mosa’eh Shabbat
At What Point After Tisha B’Ab Does Meat Become Permissible?
If Somebody Forgot to Add “Ata Honantanu” in the Amida When Tisha B’Ab is Mosa’eh Shabbat
Tisha B’Ab on Mosa’eh Shabbat – The Procedure for Habdala if One is Exempt from Fasting
Tisha BeAv- Is It Permissible To Learn Torah On Erev or Day of Tisha BeAv
Tisha B’av: Wearing Freshly Laundered Undergarments During the Week of Tisha B’av
Painting and Redecorating During the Nine Days
Tisha B'ab-The Fifteenth of Ab
The Prohibition Against Eating Meat During the Nine Days
Tisha B'av: Studying Torah on Ereb Tisha B'av
Tisha B'av: Must One Stand in Deference on Tisha B'av?
Tisha BeAv- Washing Dishes and Changing Sleeping Habits on Tisha BeAv
Tisha B’Ab – If a Bar Misva Boy Turns Thirteen on Tisha B’Ab That Falls on Sunday
The Nine Days –Wallpapering, Making New Purchases, and Eating Meat
Tisha B’Ab – Reciting “Nahem” During Minha
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found