SHMIRAS SHABBOS: Tying a knot on one end of a rope, string, balloon, etc., by looping it around itself, is not allowed on Shabbos. (See O.C. Rama 317:1). The Mishna Berura (ibid., §15) explains that since a single knot tied on one end of a rope is tight, it has a status of a קשר של אומן (“a professional knot”). Such a knot is problematic on Shabbos - both tying it and untying it.
RHYME: “please”
RIDDLE: Shimon is a father of a new baby boy. The boy had the bris done today (on a “pushed off” 9th of Av). After midday, the baby’s father and mother, the mohel and a sandek are allowed to eat! See Shulchan Aruch 559:9.
*Note: Menucha’s answer are not to be taken as final decisions in halacha, but rather as a springboard for discussions, questions to a Moreh Hora’ah, and further study.
“Tonight, on leil Shabbos is Bracha’s birthday,” Miri reminded her friends during recess in school. “Let’s surprise her!” proposed Leah, “Let’s come to her house after the Friday night seuda with a lot of balloons!”
Rivky loved the idea and said, “I actually have a lot of old balloons in my house that were used at another party. We just need to un-tie them, blow them up and tie them again.” But Chani pointed out: “Since we’ll all be busy today helping our parents to prepare the house for Shabbos, we’ll need to prepare the balloons on leil Shabbos.”.
Sari objected: “Even though we’ll only be re-inflating the old balloons and not inflating new ones, isn’t there still going to be a problem of untying and tying the balloons, because of the melachos of tying and untying?” But then she thought for a moment and said, “Or maybe it’s not a problem since it’s only a single knot, not a double-knot!”
Question: Should the girls prepare the balloons for Bracha’s surprise before Shabbos, or is it okay to do it even on Shabbos?
