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...
Chronology in the Torah's Narrative
Caring Properly for Tzitzit, The Importance of the Mitzvah of Tzitzit
The Berachot One Recites Before and After Eating Apples and Grapes
Women Wearing Tefilin and Tzitzit
Reciting Kriat Shema With Enthusiasm
Protecting A Sudden Large Profit From The Evil Eye
Rendering a Halachic Decision Without Consulting One's Rabbi
Should The Beracha of Ha'tov Ve'ha'meitiv Be Said When A Baby Boy Is Born
Is It Permissible For A Woman, Boy, or Goy To Make A Tzitzit
Reciting Pesukim As A Remedy
May A Person Put On A Talit Pesula On Shabbat In Shul If There Are No Kosher Tallitot Left
From Which Side On A Talit or Tzitzit Should the Strings Fall
Proper Positioning of The Holes At The Bottom of A Talit
Choosing to Learn from a Particular Rabbi
The Arrival of Eliyhau HaNavee and The Mashiach
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found