When Reading in Shul, DO NOT Read During Davening or Krias HaTorah
...Continued from previous week
1) The next classification of Muktzeh that we will discuss is Muktzeh Machmas Gufo.
This refers to items that are not food or utensils and are intrinsically Muktzeh due to their having no permissible use on Shabbos, and thus they are “set aside” for the duration of Shabbos.
Common examples of this include rocks, sticks and money. (See Mishna Berura’s introduction to Siman 308 and Shulchan Aruch Siman 308: 7 and Mishna Berura S”K 34,)
2) Items that are Muktzeh Machmas Gufo are deemed a severe class of Muktzeh and may thus not be moved or handled on Shabbos, even if doing so L’Tzorech Gufo or L’Tzorech Mekomo. (See Mishna Berura ibid.)
3) Even if one finds an acceptable use for an item that is Muktzeh Machmas Gufo – such as using a stone to hold open a door or a similar task – it still retains its status as Muktzeh.
4) The exception to the above rule is if the item was specifically designated for this permitted use before Shabbos.
This designation, in many cases, has to be a permanent designation and not just for one week. (We will B’Ezras Hashem discuss particulars of this designation process as we progress in this topic)
5) Sand and dirt are classified as Muktzeh Machmas Gufo.
Thus, sand on a beach or earth from one’s garden, for example, as well as sand that was designated for building, may not be handled or moved on Shabbos.(See Shulchan Aruch Siman 308:38. See also Shu”t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 9 Siman 78)
6) Sand in a sand-box, designated for children to play with, is not Muktzeh, provided that it is very dry and does not clump together.
If, however, it is moist or firm and it is possible to dig holes in it that will retain their structure, and/or be possible to make mounds, it is prohibited to move, handle or play in or with on Shabbos. (See Mishna Berura Siman 308 S”K 143. and Siman 498 S”K 73. See also Mishna Berura Siman 321 S”K 50 that it may be a prohibition of Lisha)
7) Money – coins and bills alike – is Muktzeh Machmas Gufo. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 310:7)
8) It is prohibited to hold a child on Shabbos if the child is holding money in his hand. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 309:1)
It is even prohibited, according to many Poskim, to hold a child’s hand and walk with him, on Shabbos, if he is holding money in his other hand, as we are concerned that if the money falls you will pick it up. (ibid.)
9) A fruit that is totally not ripe, and cannot be eaten in its current state, is Muktzeh Machmas Gufo.
10) If it is edible for animals in its current state, it's not Muktzeh, provided there are such animals around. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 308:29)
11) If a fruit that was totally not ripe before Shabbos becomes ripe enough to eat on Shabbos, it loses its status as Muktzeh and may be moved.
12) Although the usual Halachic rule is that something that was Muktzeh at the onset of Shabbos retains its status as Muktzeh for the duration of Shabbos (Known in Halacha as Migu D’IskaTzai L’bein Hashmashos, IskaTzaei L’Kula Yoma) this is not the case for food which is usual to ripen during Shabbos. (We will B’Ezras Hashem discuss this more at length as we progress in this topic)
...To be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
