When Reading in Shul, DO NOT Read During Davening or Krias HaTorah
...Continued from the previous week
1) Utensils which are designated for life-saving purposes, such as equipment commonly used by doctors or medics to assist in diagnosing or treating seriously ill patients, are not deemed Muktzeh, and according to many Poskim are classified as a Kli SheMelachto L’Heter. (See Talmud Chun 15b and Mogen Avrohom Siman 526:14 quoting the Ramban and Sha’ar Hatziyun Siman 308 S”K 13)
2) Similarly, a Kli SheMelachto L’Isur which has been permanently designated for assisting in life-saving uses, such as a needle designated for medical sutures or a scissor designated for surgical uses, becomes classified as a Kli SheMelachto L’Heter.
3) A mercury or other non-electronic thermometer may be used on Shabbos to check the temperature of an ill person, and is thus deemed a Kli SheMelachto L’Heter. (See Shemiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa Perek 40 footnote 3. See also Shu"t Yechave Da'as Vol. 4 Siman 29 and Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 14 Siman 30)
4) A digital or other electronic thermometer may not be used on Shabbos, unless for a Choleh Sheyaish Bo Sakanah, where there may be danger involved in not checking his temperature (and no non-digital thermometer is readily available)
Some Poskim deem it a Kli SheMelachto L’Isur, and thus it may only be moved L’Tzorech Gufo or L’Tzorech Mekomo. Other Poskim, treat it like other medical equipment which is commonly used, and maintain that it is deemed a Kli SheMelachto L’Heter.
For Halacha L’Ma’aseh a Rav must be consulted.
5) A firearm or other weapon used for saving lives, in a place where it is common for enemies to attack, is classified as a Kli SheMelachto L’Heter.
In a place where it is not common for enemies to attack, if it is being used as a deterrent, some Poskim still classify it as a Kli SheMelachto L’Heter, while other Poskim, in this case, deem it a Kli SheMelachto L’Isur. (See Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa Perek 20 footnote 28)
6) If the firearm is locked away in a safe or otherwise stored away, and the area isn’t one where it is common for enemies to attack, it is deemed Muktzeh Machmas Chisaron Kis, a higher class of Muktzeh, and may not be moved [in a regular manner] even L’Tzorech Gufo or L’Tzorech Mekomo.
7) A case designated for a laptop computer or another costly electronic item, may not be moved on Shabbos even if the Muktzeh item is not currently inside the case.
This empty case is deemed a Kli SheMelachto L’Isur.
8) While the laptop is stored inside the case, the case is a “Basis L’Davar Ha'asur”, a higher class of Muktzeh (which we will discuss more at length as we progress, B’Ezras Hashem) and it may not be moved [in a regular manner] even L’Tzorech Gufo or L’Tzorech Mekomo.
9) To use a hairbrush on Shabbos, the following three conditions must be met:
- It needs to have soft bristles so that pulling out hair is not inevitable (Pesik Reisha)
- It must be used gently, as if it is used forcefully and excessively, hair will inevitably be pulled out, which is forbidden.
- It should be a designated brush for Shabbos use and not the same brush used in the weekday. (See Mishna Berura Siman 303 S”K 86 and 87)
It’s a good idea to test the brush before Shabbos to determine if indeed this particular brush, when used gently won’t pull out hairs, which is a biblically prohibited Melacha on Shabbos (Gozez)
This Halacha applies equally to men and women.
10) A hairbrush that does not meet the aforementioned criteria to allow it to be used on Shabbos, is classified as a Kli SheMelachto L’Isur, and should not be moved on Shabbos unless it is L’Tzorech Gufo or L’Tzorech Mekomo.
...To be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
