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...
Chanukah- May a Traveling Man Light in a Hotel Room?
Chanukah- Shehechiyanu on the Second Night
Hanukah: Lighting When Traveling
Reciting Hallel on Hanukah
Hanukah – Lighting Candles After Minha in an Office; Lighting at Weddings or Other Public Gatherings
Hanukah – Lighting One Hanukah Candle From Another
2 Halachot: Lighting the Hanukah Candles on Friday Night and Where Does One Light the Hanukah Candles if He Goes Away for Shabbat?
The Importance of Lighting Hanukah Candles at the Proper Time
Reciting the Berachot Before Hanukah Candle Lighting; Customs for After Candle Lighting; Positioning the Candles
Hanukah: Do the Ashkenazim Follow the Rambam (How many Menorahs In Each Home by The Ashkenazim)?
Hanukah Candle Lighting in the Synagogue: How Many People Must be Present, and Which Berachot are Recited?
Hanukah Candles – Lighting in the Synagogue
Chanukah – Lighting When Staying Overnight With Parents, or During Overnight Travel
The Proper Time for Lighting Hanukah Candles; Eating and Learning Before Lighting the Hanukah Candles
The Reward for Lighting Hanukah Candles
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found