When Reading in Shul, DO NOT Read During Davening or Krias HaTorah
...Continued from previous week
1) Animals are Muktzeh Machmas Gufo, and may not be moved or handles on Shabbos. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 308:39)
This applies to dogs, cats and any other pets which are held and handled during the week; on Shabbos they are Muktzeh. (See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol 4 Siman 16. Although some suggest that Rav Moshe later changed his ruling and ruled more leniently, it is not clear that this is the case, and many of his students maintain that he did not change his psak. Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach and Chacham Rav Ovadiah Yosef Zichronam L'Vracha also ruled stringently. See Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa Perek 27 footnote 96 and Shu”t Yabia Omer Vol. 5 Siman 26:3. In certain instances there may be leniencies, but each individual must consult their own Rav for Halacha L’Ma’aseh.)
2) A bird cage with birds is also Muktzeh, even though it is there for decoration, as is a fish aquarium. (See Shu”t MaHarach or Zarua Siman 82 quoting the Rosh and Shemiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa Perek 27:27. See also Shu"t Az Nidberu Vol. 8 Siman 36 for a more leninet view. The cover of a fish tank may be lifted if doing so to feed the fish)
3) A roll of aluminum foil or cling wrap, a spool of thread, a roll of [attached] plastic tablecloths and the like, are Muktzeh, as they are not able to be used unless they are first cut, and cutting them on Shabbos is prohibited. (Even though many of these items can be used in their current state, without cutting them, it is not the usual way of using them and they will retain their status as a Davar Shelo Nigmerah Melachto, and thus be Muktzeh. This was the ruling of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Zatzal as quoted in Orchos Shabbos Perek 19 footnote 169)
4) Of course, pre-cut foil sheets, individual plastic table cloths and the like, are not Muktzeh as they may be used in this manner on Shabbos without any additional preparation.
5) A roll of uncut toilet paper is not Muktzeh, as although it may not be cut on Shabbos, it can still be used as-is (i.e. without cutting it) in the event that no cut toilet paper or tissues are readily available.
6) Furthermore, in extreme situations where one finds themselves with nothing to use except a roll of uncut toilet paper, there are permissible ways to cut it, such as with one’s elbow or with his teeth (K’Lachar Yad), and ideally not on the perforations, as in situations of human dignity (Kavod Habriyos) certain Melachos were allowed in a roundabout way. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 312:1 And Mishna Berura Siman 308 S”K 62. See also Sefer Chut Shani Vol. 3 page 58)
Of course, it is best to try to remember to prepare tissues or cut toilet paper before Shabbos so that the above situation doesn’t arise.
7) After washing Negel Vasser every morning, the water that was used should be discarded as they have a Ruach Ra on them (impure spirit)
8) However, this water is not Muktzeh, and thus if one washes in a basin near his/her bed, the basin may be lifted and the water spilled down the sink.
The reason for this is that although this water has an impure spirit in it, and thus it’s advisable (according to Kabalistic sources) to not use it for any other use, halachically there is no prohibition to use this water for another use. (See Biur Halacha Siman 338:8 Dibur Hamaschil Asur)
This concludes our current review of this topic. We will re-visit more of it in the future B’Ezras Hashem
...We will begin reviewing a new topic next week B’Ezras Hashem
