When Reading in Shul, DO NOT Read During Davening or Krias HaTorah
...Continued from the previous week
1) Toys that make noise may be subject to the Halachos of Muktzeh.
If the primary function of the toy involves musical sounds, bells or whistles, even though children will often play with it without using the musical component, it is deemed a Kli SheMelachto L’Isur, and may only be moved L’Tzorech Gufo or L’Tzorech Mekomo.
2) If the primary function of the toy involves non-musical noise, such as a rattle or a Gragger, some Poskim deem it a Kli SheMelachto L’Heter, while others maintain that this too is a Kli SheMelachto L’Isur (See Biur Halacha Siman 338:1 Dibur Hamaschil Asur).
Thus, it is best, when moving such a toy on Shabbos (to give it to a fussy baby, for example) to do it in a gentle way so that it does not produce any sounds while it is being moved.
3) A toy which has the capability to make noises and/or music via pushing a button, but its primary function is to be played with without the noise, e.g. a toy car which has a button to sound a horn, is deemed a Kli SheMelachto L’Heter and may be moved on Shabbos.
4) If the noise or music that such a toy can make is produced electronically, and thus a biblical prohibition, it should not be directly given to a young child who will most likely press the buttons and produce the music. (If the child is below the age of Chinuch and takes it by himself, it does not have to be taken away from him, according to many Poskim. This is a lengthy topic of “Sefiyah”, which we will delve deeper into at a future opportunity B’Ezras Hashem)
5) Many Poskim permit the assembly of Lego pieces on Shabbos even if they are assembled very tightly and even if the item constructed is not broken apart right away. (Ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach, Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg, Rav Nissim Karelitz Zichronam L'vracha and others; see Orchos Shabbos Vol. 1 page 287 footnote 86 where he writes that Rav Shlomo Zalmen permitted it but discouraged it nonetheless especially for adults. See also “The Shabbos Home” by Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen Shlita Vol. 2 page 426 footnote 53)
According to these Poskim, the Lego is deemed a Kli SheMelacto L’Heter and may be moved on Shabbos.
6) Other Poskim are stringent and prohibit anyone above the age of Chinuch from assembling Lego on Shabbos. (Ruling of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Zatzal quoted in Sefer Ashrei HaIsh; Shabbos Page 231-232 and in Orchos Shabbos ibid.)
According to these Poskim, the Lego is deemed a Kli SheMelachto L’Isur and may not be moved on Shabbos unless it is L’Tzorech Gufo or L’Tzorech Mekomo. (See Shu”t Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 5 Siman 22:27 that although one should not give children building toys such as Legos to play with on Shabbos, they aren’t Muktzeh as the children take them on their own to play with.)
For Halacha L’Ma’aseh every individual should consult their Rav.
7) Regarding making jigsaw puzzles on Shabbos, some Poskim (including Rav Moshe Feinstein and Rav Yosef Shalom Elyasiv Zichronam L’vracha) rule that all puzzles are prohibited to make on Shabbos.
Other Poskim allow all puzzles to be made on Shabbos. (See Shu”t Ohr L’Tziyon Vol. 2 Siman 272 and Shu”t Be’er Moshe Vol. 6 Siman 26. This was also the opinion of Rav Chaim Pinchos Scheinberg Zatzal as quoted in “Children in Halacha” Page 140)
Other Poskim differentiate between puzzles that are in a frame and are stuck together very tightly, which they prohibit, and puzzles that have no frame and are looser, which they permit. (Opinion of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal quoted in Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchasa Perek 16:23)
There is also an opinion that prohibits puzzles that form words and permits puzzles that only form pictures.
Some Poskim will allow it for children and prohibit it for adults.
For Halacha L’Ma’aseh, of course, each individual must consult their own Rav.
8) If the puzzle in question is one that is prohibited to assemble on Shabbos, it is best to treat it as a Kli SheMelachto L’Isur and only move it if it it is L’Tzorech Gufo or L’Tzorech Mekomo.
...To be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
