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...
Is it Permissible to Erase a Recording of a Torah Class?
The Ancient Syrian Jewish Customs For Mosa’eh Shabbat Shira and Tu B’Shbat
Should the Tefillin be Worn During Minha When Asara Be'Tebet Falls on Ereb Shabbat
Mr. Edmond J Safra A”H – Supporter of the Three Pillars - Yahrtzeit Today
Shinui Makom – If a Person Leaves His Home During a Meal Momentarily
The Obligation to Visit One’s Parents
Is It Permissible For A Kohen To Travel Over A Cemetery In A Plane
Having Intention for the Misva Before Reciting Shema
The Custom to Perform Hatarat Nedarim Before the Month of Elul
Halachot Pertaining to the Restroom
The Five Groups of "Minim" Who Have No Share in the World to Come
The Significance of Visiting Graves of Sadikim
Visiting the Graves of Sadikim and Family Members
May One Use a Pot Cover for Netilat Yadayim?
The Symbolism of the Five Knots of the Sisit
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found