DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 772 KB)
Is It Permissible to Touch a Mukse Item Without Moving It?

The Shulhan Aruch establishes in several places that it is permissible to touch Mukse items, as long as not even a part of it moves. For example, Maran rules that a corpse is Mukse, and even though a single limb may not be moved, it is permissible to touch it.

The Shulhan Aruch (306:6) records the Halacha that covering a Mukse item with a vessel is permitted, only if he does not touch the Mukse itself. The commentaries wonder what the problem is, since it is permitted to touch Mukse. The Maggid Mishne understands that the case is referring to a Mukse item which is round, and touching it will cause the item to roll on its axis. The Trumat Ha'deshen (Rav Yisrael Isserlin, 1390-1460) offers an alternate explanation: Touching Mukse is prohibited in a case where the purpose of the contact is to benefit the Mukse item. The case of placing a protective covering over the Mukse item is for the benefit of the Mukse item, and that is why it is prohibited.

Thus, there is a disagreement between the Maggid Mishne and the Trumat Ha'deshen whether one may touch a Mukse item for its benefit. The Bet Yosef brings both positions. The Magen Abraham (Rabbi Abraham Gombiner, Poland, 1637-1682) is stringent in accordance with the Trumat Ha'deshen. However, many Poskim rule in accordance with the Maggid Mishne, including the Vilna Gaon and the Mishna Berura.

Hacham Ovadia brings a proof to be lenient from the ruling of Maran who permits anointing a corpse with oil on Shabbat, even though the corpse is being touched for its benefit. This is also the opinion of Teshubot Bene Sion.

SUMMARY
It is permissible to touch a Mukse item for its benefit, as long as no part of it will move.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
If the Hazan Forgot to Recite Ya’aleh Ve’yabo During the Repetition of the Amida on Rosh Hodesh
Should Two Kaddishim be Recited if a Shiur is Given Immediately Before Arbit?
Reciting “Yiheyu Le’rason Imreh Fi” at the End of the Amida
The Kaddish Before Baruch She’amar
The Value of Praying “Vatikin” and Studying Torah Before Prayer
The Importance and Significance of Birkat Ha’lebana
The Custom Among Syrian Jews Regarding the Text of “Ve’la’minim” and Other Portions of the Amida
Adding Prayers for Forgiveness and for One’s Livelihood in “Shema Kolenu”
If One Mistakenly Recited “Morid Ha’tal” Instead of “Mashib Ha’ru’ah U’morid Ha’geshem”
Should a Mourner be Called for an Aliya if He is the Only Kohen in Attendance?
May Birkat Kohanim be Recited if a Non-Jew is Present
If a Kohen Was Mistakenly Called for the Second Aliya; Calling Kohanim for Later Aliyot
How Should the Aliyot be Arranged in a Minyan of Only Kohanim, or if There is Only One Yisrael?
Birkat Kohanim – The Hazan’s Announcement of “Kohanim”; If There is One Kohen or No Kohanim Present
Birkat Kohanim in a Place Without a Sefer Torah; One Who Enters the Synagogue During Birkat Kohanim; Reciting Birkat Kohanim Several Times in One Day
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found