...Continued from two weeks ago
1) A loose blank sheet of writing paper, according to many Poskim, is deemed Muktzeh Machmas Chisaron Kis.
The reason for this is, despite it being inexpensive, people are careful with it to not get it creased or otherwise ruined, as these papers are designated for writing on and not for any other use. (See Mishna Berura Siman 308 S” K 3. See also Shu”t Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 4 Siman 72 where Rav Moshe Zatzal rules this way. See Halachos of Muktzeh page 84 where he quotes Rav Moshe Zatzal that even paper that one isn’t careful with will still be Muktzeh Machmas Gufo since it has no purpose)
2) Other Poskim, however, rule that a single piece of blank paper is not Muktzeh at all, as people are not careful with it, especially nowadays, and it’s common to use it to clean a spill or other permitted uses. (Ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal quoted in Me’or Hashabbos Vol. 1 10:3. See also Shemiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa Perek 20:19 where he deems it a Kli Shemelachto L’Isur. See also Shu”t Shevet Halevi Vol. 9 Siman 78)
Unlike regular writing paper, expensive stationary would be Muktzeh according to everyone, Machmas Chisaron Kis
3) A blank notebook which is meant to write in, is classified as Muktzeh Machmas Chisaron Kis, as people are careful with it to keep it clean and un-creased for its intended use, and do not use it for any other uses other than writing.
4) Once some of the pages are already written on, and the pages that have writing on them are more valuable to you than the pages that are still empty (as opposed to just having some insignificant scribbling on them) , the entire notebook is no longer Muktzeh and may be moved and used on Shabbos.
According to some Poskim, it is best not to leaf through the blank pages in the notebook; only use it for, and handle, the pages that have writing on them. (See Shemiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa Perek 20:84)
5) Envelopes which are designated for using to send letters via the postal service, and one is careful to not use them for any other purposes, are Muktzeh Machmas Chisaron Kis.
6) If they are sometime used for other purposes, which are permitted on Shabbos, they are classified as Kli Shemelachto L’Isur, and may then be moved if it's L’Tzorech Gufo or L’Tzorech Mekomo.
7) Postage stamps which are used to send mail are classified as Muktzeh Machmas Chisaron Kis, as people are careful with them that they shouldn’t get ruined, and they have no other use besides for being used to send mail.
8) Postage stamps that are part of a collection, and are not designated for usage on a letter, are not Muktzeh, as they are just viewed as a hobby , for enjoyment, and that is permitted on Shabbos.
9) Business documents, contracts, certificates, bank statements, checkbooks, passports , credit cards, and the like, which people store in a safe pace and are careful to avoid them getting ruined are classified as Muktzeh Machmas Chisaron Kis.(See Shemiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa Perek 20:20)
10) If one is careful with Tzedakah Receipts which the charity provides after a donation, in order to keep them in a safe place for use in tax preparation and filing, they are classified as Muktzeh Machmas Chisaron Kis. Similarly, if one is saving a retail receipt, as proof of purchase to be used to return the item, or for another reason, and does not want it to get ruined, it would be classified as Muktzeh Machmas Chisaron Kis (Receipts which are useless, and are going to be thrown out, are Muktzeh Machmas Gufo)
11) Identity cards, social security cards and driver’s licenses are classified as Muktzeh Machmas Chisaorn Kis,as people are careful with them, and keep them in a wallet or purse so that they should not get ruined. (See Shemiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa Perek 20:6)
12) A school report card which is sent by the school to parents to apprise them of their child’s academic progress is not Muktzeh and may be moved on Shabbos. (Some Poskim maintain that if it is a report card for secular studies only, and contains no grades regarding Limdei Kodesh and/or Midos, it may be prohibited to read on Shabbos. See Orchos Shabbos Perek 22 footnote 202)
...To be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
