When Reading in Shul, DO NOT Read During Davening or Krias HaTorah
...Continued from the previous week
1) The allowance for moving something L’Tzorech Gufo or L’Tzorech Mekomo, only applies to a keli, a utensil.
2) An item which is Melachto L'Isur (its use is for a melacha that is prohibited on Shabbos) but it is not a Kli, a utensil, such as a piece of firewood, a bar of soap, shoe polish or similar items, may not be moved [in a regular manner] even L’Tzorech Gufo or L’Tzorech Mekomo (See Mishna Berura Siman 308 S”K 34. See also Sefer Shvus Yitzchok Perek 4:2 that this is the ruling of Rav Moshe Feinstein and Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Zichronam L’vracha. See also Addendum to Shemiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa Perek 20: 16 for a possible explanation of a more lenient ruling by Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal)
3) A utensil whose intended uses equally include both Melachos that are prohibited on Shabbos, as well as Melachos that are permitted on Shabbos, such as a pocket-tool that includes a knife (which is permitted to use on Shabbos) and a scissor (which is prohibited to use on Shabbos) is deemed a Kli SheMelachto L’Heter, and may be moved and used on Shabbos in a regular manner. (for the permitted Melachos only, of course)
4) If, however, the utensil is intended mostly for prohibited uses, and only sometimes used for its intended permitted uses, it should be treated as a Kli SheMelacto L’Isur. (See Mishna Berura Siman 308 S”K 10 and Biur Halacha Siman 308:3 Dibur Hamaschil Kardom. We shall see more about this as we progress in this topic B’Ezras Hashem)
5) As we learnt previously, a Kli SheMelachto L’Isur may be moved in a regular manner L’Tzorech Gufo. For example, a hammer needed to crack open walnuts may be picked up, carried to where it is needed and used, in a regular manner, for this permitted use.
6) The above allowance even applies if he does not need this utensil at the present moment; rather there is a very good chance that it will be needed in the place where he is taking it.
Thus, if it is usual for him to use a hammer to crack open walnuts, he may pick up and move the hammer from the tool shelf to near the table where he will be eating, even if he doesn’t know for sure that it will be needed, but there is a decent chance that it will be. (Known in Halacha as “Chazu L’Orchim”; See Talmud Shabbos 124b)
7) A Kli SheMelachto L’Isur which is situated in a place where it may get ruined or stolen, may usually not be moved [in a regular manner] despite the possibility that it may be damaged or stolen.
8) However, if there is a likely chance that this utensil will be needed at some point during Shabbos, for a permitted use, it may be moved out of danger now, due to its likely use, L’Tzorech Gufo, later on. (See Sefer Tehila L’Dovid Siman 308: 5)
9) A Kli SheMelachto L’Isur may be picked up and moved in a regular manner, if being used to calm a crying or fussy baby, as this too is deemed an acceptable L’Tzorech Gufo use.
Thus, for example, a ring of Muktzeh keys may be jingled to calm the child. (See Tosefos Eiruvin 69a Dibur Hamaschil Keivan)
10) It is important to keep in mind, as we mentioned previously, that the allowance to move and use a Kli SheMelachto L’Isur in a situation where it is L’Tzorech Gufo, is only when no non-Muktzeh alternative is available.
In the event that a non-Muktzeh alternative is available, it must be used, in place of the Muktzeh item.
Thus, in our example, if 2 spoons or a ring of non-Muktzeh keys is available, the Muktzeh keys may not be utilized to calm the fussy baby (See Mishna Berura Siman 308 S” K 12). However, the non-Muktzeh item must be readily available to require its use.
One is not obligated to go to a neighbor to borrow a non-Muktzeh item; if he doesn’t have it on hand, he can use the Kli SheMelachto L’Isur that he does have handy, as it is deemed L’Tzorech Gufo and permissible to use it. (Ruling of Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal)
...To be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
