...Continued from previous week
1) Many people use ear plugs for various reasons during the day or when they sleep to block out noise.
Regarding their use on Shabbos, it would depend on what kind of earplugs they are. The kind that is like a small sponge which does not assume the shape of the inner ear when inserted and reverts back to its original shape upon being removed from the ear, may be used on Shabbos.
However, earplugs that are made from silicone, wax or similar materials which assume the shape of the inner ear that they are put in to and retain that shape when being removed may not be used on Shabbos, as doing so may violate the Melachos of Boneh/Tikun Maneh, Makeh B’Patish and/or Memarayach. (See Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchaso Perek 14:39 and footnote 109 where he prohibits earplugs on Shabbos without specifying what type of earplug he is referring to. Rav Yehoshua Neuwirth Zatzal, author of Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchaso later said that this ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal was referring only to the silicone type that retains its shape and not to the sponge type; See Orchos Shabbos page 276 footnote 43. See also Shu”t Az Nidberu Vol. 3 Siman 21)
2) Cotton balls may be inserted into the ears as long as they were set aside for such use before Shabbos. (See Mishna Berura Siman 328:152 and Sha’ar HaTziyun Siman 514:52 and Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchaso ibid.)
3) It is prohibited to fold papers on Shabbos to produce distinct shapes, such as airplanes, birds or ships or other such shapes.
Likewise, it is prohibited to fold napkins into distinct and complicated shapes or designs in order to beautify the table on Shabbos, as doing so is likened to building.
However, simply folding them in half or in a simple shape [that isn't in the form of any particular item] is permitted. (Ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal quoted in Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchaso Perek Perek 11:40 and Perek 16:19)
4) Snowballs or snowmen may not be formed on Shabbos, as doing so is a transgression of the Melacha of Boneh. (See Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchaso Perek 16:44. See also Shu”t Be’er Moshe Vol 6: Siman 30. Some Poskim rule that snow is Muktzeh to even touch in the first place, but Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal and others rule that it is not.)
Snowballs that were formed from before Shabbos, according to some Poskim should not be thrown on Shabbos as doing so may be a transgression of Soser. (ibid. footnote 109.)
5) Until now our discussion focused mainly on Boneh/Soser (building/destroying) as regards to adding on to a building or structure or as regards to items mounted to the ground or large items (that hold more than the volume of 40 Sa’ah) even if they aren’t mounted to the ground, as these too are considered Mechubar L’Karka, attached to the ground for Boneh purposes.
Now we will begin discussing Boneh /Soser as they apply to Keilim, utensils.
The Talmud in a few places (including Shabbos 102b, 122b and Beitzah 11b) discusses whether the prohibition of Boneh/Soser applies only to building [or adding on to ] a structure or if it applies as well to utensils.
6) There is a dispute among the Rishonim as to how we rule in this matter.
Some Rishonim rule that there is a prohibition of Boneh/Soser in regard to utensils provided that the “building” was done in a way that will keep the pieces together firmly.
Furthermore, these Rishonim rule that initially creating or forming a utensil is also a prohibition of Boneh. (See Rambam Hilchos Shabbos Perek 10:13 and Tosafos Shabbos 102b Dibur Hamaschil Hai)
Other Rishonim, however, rule that there is no prohibition of Boneh/Soser at all in regards to utensils. (Rashi Shabbos 47a Dibur Hamaschil Chayav Chatas. This is also the ruling of the Gaon of Vilna quoted in Mishna Berura Siman 314:7)
However, even those who rule that there is no Boneh/Soser for utensils, agree that it is prohibited to initially create a utensil on Shabbos or firmly put together the pieces of a utensil to make it whole due to the Melacha of Makeh B’Patish. (See Rashi ibid.)
The Shulchan Aruch (Siman 314) rules that there is a prohibition of Boneh/Soser in regard to utensils, if certain criteria are met, as we shall detail B’Ezras Hashem as we progress in this topic.
To be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
