One type of forbidden carrying from the laws of Muktze is a concept known as "Keli SheMilachto LeIsur". This pertains to a vessel whose normal and primary function is forbidden on Shabbat. The classic example the Mishna brings to illustrate this is a hammer. A hammer’s primary function is to build, and since building is clearly forbidden on Shabbat, therefore a hammer is Muktze and forbidden to move on Shabbat.
Halacha however, does recognize some circumstances whereby it would be permissible to move an item forbidden under the laws of "Keli SheMilachto LeIsur." The first case is a leniency called ‘LiTzorech Gufo’, and the second case is called ‘LiTzorech Mikomo’.
‘LiTzorech Gufo’ refers to an action that is permissible on Shabbat. This means it would be permissible to use a normally forbidden object whose primary function is forbidden on Shabbat, so long as the task intended is a Shabbat permissible action. Let’s refer back to the example above of the hammer. Although it is forbidden to use or move a hammer on Shabbat, it would be permissible though to use a hammer on Shabbat to crack open some nuts. Cracking nuts open is a permissible action on Shabbat and thus using hammer for this action would be permissible.
‘LiTzorech Mikomo’ refers to the movement of normally forbidden object whose primary function is forbidden on Shabbat, where the purpose is to relocate the object in order to provide space for another needed item. For example, it would be permissible to move a hammer, if one wanted to place food in that exact spot.
The question was asked about a Shofar. What is the status of a Shofar? Is it considered Muktze or not, and if so, would either of the above leniencies above apply?
The Rama brings down in his commentary on Shulchan Aruch, siman 308, that a Shofar has the status of a "Keli SheMilachto LeIsur." It is forbidden to blow a Shofar on Shabbat, and therefore it is Muktze and forbidden to move. But as we learned above, there would be times one is able to move a Shofar under the leniency of ‘LiTzorech Gufo’, and ‘LiTzorech Mikomo’. Using a Shofar for a permissible action is not realistic or common; hence we for the most part limit a Shofar to the leniency of ‘LiTzorech Mikomo.’
So the question was then asked about Rosh Hashana. Is a Shofar considered Muktze on Rosh Hashana and thus forbidden to move? Well, the Mishna Berura (Chafetz Chayim) does bring down that even though we blow the Shofar on Rosh Hashana itself, it still retains the status of Muktze, and therefore one is really not allowed to move the Shofar on Rosh Hashana, other than for blowing it. The leniency of ‘LiTzorech Mikomo’ would apply on Rosh Hashana as well, so other than for blowing, and other than for ‘Tzorech Mikomo’, one should be careful not to move the Shofar on Rosh Hashana. (See Menuhat Ahava)
