...Continued from the previous week
1) The Halachos of Muktzeh apply to Shabbos as well as to Yom Tov.
In certain cases, Muktzeh can even be more stringent on Yom Tov than on Shabbos. This is especially true for Sephardim who rule like the Bet Yoseph (See Shulchan Aruch and Rama Siman 495:4 and Mishna Berura S”K 16. See also Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 99:1. We will discuss this more at length as we progress in this topic)
2) When Yom Tov falls out on Shabbos, some Poskim give everything the stringencies of Yom Tov, while other Poskim treat it like every other Shabbos. (See Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa Perek 21:22 and Shu”t Rav Pe’alim, from the Ben Ish Chai, Vol 1 Siman 30 and Sefer Nitei Gavriel ; Yom Tov Vol. 1 Siman 24:4)
3) Originally, when the prohibition of Muktzeh was enacted, it was forbidden to move virtually all utensils, regardless of their intended use, even if the purpose of the utensil was to do something that was permitted to do on Shabbos. (Kli She’Melachto L’Heter)
4) With time, the Chachamim made numerous adjustments to the gezeira, and ultimately left it in place as it pertains to utensils whose designated use was for a melacha that was prohibited to do on Shabbos (Kli She’Melachto L’Isur), and only allowed these to be moved where it was necessary to do so a) L’Tzorech Gufo (i.e. using this utensil for a melacha that is permitted on Shabbos) or b) L’Tzorech Mekomo (i.e. you need to use the place where the utensil is lying, thus you can move it to vacate that space) (See Talmud Shabbos 123b)
5) The allowance of moving a Kli SheMelachto L’Isur applies only for a) L’Tzorech Gufo or b) L’Tzorech Mekomo, and not for other seemingly necessary reasons.
Thus, a Kli SheMelachto L’Isur may not be moved [in a regular manner] to protect the body of the utensil from getting ruined or stolen.
6) It is also important to keep in mind that the dispensation for moving Muktzeh when it is a) L’Tzorech Gufo or b) L’Tzorech Mekomo, only applies to the variety of Muktzeh that falls under the heading of Kli SheMelachto L’Isur.
Other categories of Muktzah (Machmas Gufo, Machmas Chisaron Kis etc.) do not have this leniency, and may not be moved [in a regular manner) even L’Tzorech Gufo or L’Tzorech Mekomo.
7) Some common examples of a Kli SheMelachto L’Isur, a utensil whose primary use is for a task that is prohibited to do on Shabbo, include a hammer, a screwdriver, a needle, and a pen.
8) A Kli SheMelachto L’Isur may not be moved on Shabbos for no reason, even though there are some permitted uses for this utensil.
It may be moved if being used for a permitted use. Some examples of a permitted use for a Kli SheMelachto L’Isur, include using a hammer to crack open walnuts, or using a needle to remove a splinter from a finger. (If a different non-Muktzeh utensil is available, such as a nutcracker for the walnuts, or a toothpick for the splinter, it is better to use that item. We will discuss this more in detail as we progress in this topic B'Ezras Hashem)
These uses are permitted, as they are deemed L’Tzorech Gufo (i.e. using this utensil for a melacha that is permitted on Shabbos, as it is permissible to crack open nuts on Shabbos, and it is permissible to remove a splinter on Shabbos)
...To be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
