Books, Notebooks, and Papers on Shabbat: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 16:51, 13 July 2023

Books

It’s forbidden to cut or rip pages of a book that were not properly cut through in binding. ^[1]
If pages were stuck together by glue or some or material (like water) then it depends; if the pages are stuck in a place of letters it’s forbidden to pull them apart because in doing so one breaks the letters, however, if the pages are stuck in a place of no letters it’s permissible to pull the pages apart. ^[2]

Writing on the Side of Books

Many poskim hold that it is permitted to open a book on Shabbat even though it has letters or pictures on the side of the pages of the book; if, however, there is another similar book available without letters on the side, one should use that one. Also, it’s preferable not to write on the sides of books in order to avoid this issue.^[3]

Broken books

If a page is torn in a book it’s permissible to place the two half pages next to one another in order to read it, if there no other copy of the same book is available, however, one may not tape the two pieces together. ^[4]
One may not sort loose pages that fell out of a broken book in a particular order unless one intends to read them immediately. ^[5] See the Borer page for more details.

Notebooks

If a notebook is empty it’s muktzeh. If it is partially filled, and the pages of content have some importance and one sometimes reads them, then, the notebook is not Muktzeh and one may turn the blank pages in order to reach the pages of content. However, if the pages of content aren’t of importance and one doesn’t read them, then the notebook as a whole is Muktzeh and should not be moved. ^[6]

Loose-leaf binders

It’s permissible to open and close the rings of a loose-leaf binder.^[7]
A loose leaf binder that contains commercial documents, building plans, account documents, passports, or identity certificates is considered Muktzeh and shouldn’t be moved. ^[8]
If a loose-leaf binder has pages with content together with blank pages, and the pages of content have some importance and one sometimes reads them, then, the binder is not Muktzeh and one may turn the blank pages in order to reach the pages of content. However, if the pages of content aren’t of importance and one doesn’t read them, then the binder as a whole is Muktzeh and should be moved. ^[9]

Blank Paper

Blank pieces of paper are Muktzeh.^[10]

Index cards

It’s permissible to remove an index card from an index if one plans on using that card immediately. If unintentionally, the wrong card was removed, no transgression was incurred.^[11]
If one has removed a (single) card, it’s permissible to find a place in the index to replace it.^[12]

Loose papers

One may not sort loose pages that fell out of a broken book in a particular order. ^[13]

Post-it

See Practical Applications of Tofer

Putting Books on the Shelf

see Putting books back on Shelf on Borer page

Related Pages

Reading on Shabbat

Sources

↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:1
↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:1
↑
Birkei Yosef 340:5, Leviat Chen 120, Sh"t Tzitz Eliezer 13:44, Vayesh Moshe 1:65, Mishna Berura 340:17.
- The Levush 340:4 writes that it is a Torah violation to open or close a book with words stamped on the sides of the pages. He maintains that opening the book is erasing because the letters are broken, and then closing the book again is writing because the letters are reformed. Magen Avraham 340:6 and Chazon Ish 61:1 are machmir for this Levush.
- The Rama in a teshuva (119), however, is lenient based on the Gemara Shabbat (104b) that says that there is a biblical prohibition if a person writes one letter in Tiveriya and one in Tzipori because it is not considered lacking a significant action to bring them together. The Rama infers that moving letters closer to or further from one another is not considered writing or erasing. Similarly, opening the book doesn’t erase the letters, but merely separates the parts of the letters, and closing the book doesn’t write the letters, but just combines the halves. Taz 340:2 agrees.
- The Avnei Neizer 210:1-3 rejects this proof. He argues that separating two letters isn’t considered erasing because the letters still exist, but splitting letters horizontally is considered erasing because the letters become nonexistent. See Rama (ibid.) and Taz 340:2 for resolutions to this difficulty. Based on this Avnei Nezer, see also Sh"t Har Tzvi Melechet Kotev 4 writes that even the Levush himself agrees that separating two complete letters isn't an issue of writing. He is just concerned of joining and separating letter fragments but not separating two whole letters.
- Sh"t Rama 119 raises another argument to permit opening and closing the book. Since the book is meant to be open and closed it is like opening and closing a door which is certainly permissible and not an issue of boneh and soter.
- Halacha for Ashkenazim: Mishna Brurah 340:17 comments that the minhag is to follow the Rama, yet if one has another sefer without letters on the side, he should use that one instead to be strict for the Levush. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:2 writes that it is preferable not to open a book with words or pictures written across the edge of their leaves and are broken and put back together when the book is opened and closed. He concludes that many authorities permit opening the book in such a case. The problem is best avoided by not writing on the edge of books.
- Halacha for Sephardim: Yalkut Yosef (340:8 Din Kotev BeShabbat) writes that it is permitted according to the strict law, however, initially one should avoid writing words on the side of Sefarim.
↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:3
↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:8
↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:10
↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:9
↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:9
↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:9. Sh"t Iggerot Moshe OC 5:21:8 writes that whether the pages of the loose leaf are considered one unit depends on why you connected them. If it is one unit then the blank pages the entire binder isn't muktzeh. If you left in the pages together so that if that there's a mistake you can remove them then it isn't one unit. If you left the pages together so that it is easier to print them at the end then it is one unit.
↑ Magen Avraham 308:10 quotes the Shiltei Giborim 34a that blank paper is muktzeh machmat chisaron kis. Igrot Moshe 4:72 agrees and applies it to his time as well saying that regular people don't throw out paper for no reason even though it is cheap. R' Nissim Karelitz agrees. However, Dirshu 308:6 cites Rav Elyashiv, Shevet Halevi, and Shemirat Shabbat Kehichata that blank paper is not muktzeh machmat chisaron kis today. Igrot Moshe 5:22:1 writes that blank paper today have no use at all and are muktzeh machmat gufo according to those who consider Kli Shekol Melachto Lisur to be muktzeh. Using them as a bookmark doesn't make them into a kli since it isn't a significant use.
↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata (in old edition 3:43, in the new 3:47)
↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata (in old edition 3:43, in the new 3:47)
↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:8

Category	Topic
Mitzvot of Shabbat	Kiddush Levana - Enjoying Shabbat - Fourth meal of Shabbat - Havdalah - Having a meal on Friday - In the Spirit of Shabbat - Kiddush - Lighting Shabbat Candles - Making Early Shabbat - Making one hundred Brachot on Shabbat - Preparing foods on Shabbat - Preparing for Shabbat - Shenayim Mikrah - Kavod Shabbat - Shabbos Davening - Seudat Shabbat - Seudat Shelishit - Lechem Mishneh - Motzei Shabbat - When Does Shabbat Start?
Restrictions of Shabbat	Allowing Carrying Using an Eruv Chatzerot - Animals on Shabbat - Asking a Jew to work on Shabbat - Asking a non-Jew to work on Shabbat (Amirah LeNochri) - Benefiting from a Violation of Shabbat (Maaseh Shabbat) - Books, notebooks, and papers - Brushing Teeth on Shabbat - Building a structure on Shabbat (Boneh) - Carrying on Shabbat - Cleaning the dishes - Cleaning and Folding Garments on Shabbat - Clearing the table - Cooking (Ofeh and Bishul) - Cosmetics on Shabbat - Dancing and clapping on Shabbat - Electricity on Shabbat - Eruv Chatzerot - Eruvin - Games on Shabbat - Getting dressed on Shabbat - Giving birth on Shabbat - Grinding (Tochen) - Handling objects on Shabbat (Muktzeh) - Infants on Shabbat - Introduction to the Modern Eruv - Kneading (Lash) - Mail on Shabbat - Medicine on Shabbat (Refuah on Shabbat) - Melacha That Begins Before Shabbat - Opening bottles and containers (Boneh) - Plants on Shabbat (Zoreah) - Preparing for after Shabbat (Hachana) - Reading on Shabbat (Daber Davar) - Recreation on Shabbat - Sechirut Reshut - Separating mixtures (Borer) - Squeezing fruits (Sechita) - Speaking on Shabbat (Daber Davar) - Taking a cruise over Shabbat - Taking measurements on Shabbat - Techum - Transactions on Shabbat - Transportation on Shabbat - Going to and Staying in the Hospital on Shabbat - Wages on Shabbat (Sachar Shabbat) - Washing one’s body on Shabbat
Melachos	Introduction to Melechet Machshevet - Marbeh Bshiurim - Plowing - Planting - Harvesting - Gathering - Threshing - Winnowing - Separating - Grinding - Sifting - Kneading - Baking and Cooking - Shearing - Laundering - Combing - Dyeing - Spinning - Mounting warp threads - Making two loops - Weaving - Unraveling fabric - Tying - Untying - Gluing, taping, or stapling - Ripping - Trapping - Slaughtering - Skinning - Tanning - Smoothing - Scoring - Cutting precisely - Writing - Erasing - Building - Demolishing - Completing a vessel - Extinguishing a flame - Kindling a fire - Carrying

[1] Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:1

[2] Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:1

[3] Birkei Yosef 340:5, Leviat Chen 120, Sh"t Tzitz Eliezer 13:44, Vayesh Moshe 1:65, Mishna Berura 340:17.
The Levush 340:4 writes that it is a Torah violation to open or close a book with words stamped on the sides of the pages. He maintains that opening the book is erasing because the letters are broken, and then closing the book again is writing because the letters are reformed. Magen Avraham 340:6 and Chazon Ish 61:1 are machmir for this Levush.

The Rama in a teshuva (119), however, is lenient based on the Gemara Shabbat (104b) that says that there is a biblical prohibition if a person writes one letter in Tiveriya and one in Tzipori because it is not considered lacking a significant action to bring them together. The Rama infers that moving letters closer to or further from one another is not considered writing or erasing. Similarly, opening the book doesn’t erase the letters, but merely separates the parts of the letters, and closing the book doesn’t write the letters, but just combines the halves. Taz 340:2 agrees.

The Avnei Neizer 210:1-3 rejects this proof. He argues that separating two letters isn’t considered erasing because the letters still exist, but splitting letters horizontally is considered erasing because the letters become nonexistent. See Rama (ibid.) and Taz 340:2 for resolutions to this difficulty. Based on this Avnei Nezer, see also Sh"t Har Tzvi Melechet Kotev 4 writes that even the Levush himself agrees that separating two complete letters isn't an issue of writing. He is just concerned of joining and separating letter fragments but not separating two whole letters.

Sh"t Rama 119 raises another argument to permit opening and closing the book. Since the book is meant to be open and closed it is like opening and closing a door which is certainly permissible and not an issue of boneh and soter.

Halacha for Ashkenazim: Mishna Brurah 340:17 comments that the minhag is to follow the Rama, yet if one has another sefer without letters on the side, he should use that one instead to be strict for the Levush. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:2 writes that it is preferable not to open a book with words or pictures written across the edge of their leaves and are broken and put back together when the book is opened and closed. He concludes that many authorities permit opening the book in such a case. The problem is best avoided by not writing on the edge of books.

Halacha for Sephardim: Yalkut Yosef (340:8 Din Kotev BeShabbat) writes that it is permitted according to the strict law, however, initially one should avoid writing words on the side of Sefarim.

[4] The Levush 340:4 writes that it is a Torah violation to open or close a book with words stamped on the sides of the pages. He maintains that opening the book is erasing because the letters are broken, and then closing the book again is writing because the letters are reformed. Magen Avraham 340:6 and Chazon Ish 61:1 are machmir for this Levush.

[5] The Rama in a teshuva (119), however, is lenient based on the Gemara Shabbat (104b) that says that there is a biblical prohibition if a person writes one letter in Tiveriya and one in Tzipori because it is not considered lacking a significant action to bring them together. The Rama infers that moving letters closer to or further from one another is not considered writing or erasing. Similarly, opening the book doesn’t erase the letters, but merely separates the parts of the letters, and closing the book doesn’t write the letters, but just combines the halves. Taz 340:2 agrees.

[6] The Avnei Neizer 210:1-3 rejects this proof. He argues that separating two letters isn’t considered erasing because the letters still exist, but splitting letters horizontally is considered erasing because the letters become nonexistent. See Rama (ibid.) and Taz 340:2 for resolutions to this difficulty. Based on this Avnei Nezer, see also Sh"t Har Tzvi Melechet Kotev 4 writes that even the Levush himself agrees that separating two complete letters isn't an issue of writing. He is just concerned of joining and separating letter fragments but not separating two whole letters.

[7] Sh"t Rama 119 raises another argument to permit opening and closing the book. Since the book is meant to be open and closed it is like opening and closing a door which is certainly permissible and not an issue of boneh and soter.

[8] Halacha for Ashkenazim: Mishna Brurah 340:17 comments that the minhag is to follow the Rama, yet if one has another sefer without letters on the side, he should use that one instead to be strict for the Levush. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:2 writes that it is preferable not to open a book with words or pictures written across the edge of their leaves and are broken and put back together when the book is opened and closed. He concludes that many authorities permit opening the book in such a case. The problem is best avoided by not writing on the edge of books.

[9] Halacha for Sephardim: Yalkut Yosef (340:8 Din Kotev BeShabbat) writes that it is permitted according to the strict law, however, initially one should avoid writing words on the side of Sefarim.

[4] Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:3

[5] Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:8

[6] Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:10

[7] Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:9

[8] Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:9

[9] Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:9. Sh"t Iggerot Moshe OC 5:21:8 writes that whether the pages of the loose leaf are considered one unit depends on why you connected them. If it is one unit then the blank pages the entire binder isn't muktzeh. If you left in the pages together so that if that there's a mistake you can remove them then it isn't one unit. If you left the pages together so that it is easier to print them at the end then it is one unit.

[10] Magen Avraham 308:10 quotes the Shiltei Giborim 34a that blank paper is muktzeh machmat chisaron kis. Igrot Moshe 4:72 agrees and applies it to his time as well saying that regular people don't throw out paper for no reason even though it is cheap. R' Nissim Karelitz agrees. However, Dirshu 308:6 cites Rav Elyashiv, Shevet Halevi, and Shemirat Shabbat Kehichata that blank paper is not muktzeh machmat chisaron kis today. Igrot Moshe 5:22:1 writes that blank paper today have no use at all and are muktzeh machmat gufo according to those who consider Kli Shekol Melachto Lisur to be muktzeh. Using them as a bookmark doesn't make them into a kli since it isn't a significant use.

[11] Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata (in old edition 3:43, in the new 3:47)

[12] Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata (in old edition 3:43, in the new 3:47)

[13] Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:8

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[5]

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[7]

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+{{Okay}}
 ==Books==
 # It’s forbidden to cut or rip pages of a book that were not properly cut through in binding. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:1 </ref>
 # If pages were stuck together by glue or some or material (like water) then it depends; if the pages are stuck in a place of letters it’s forbidden to pull them apart because in doing so one breaks the letters, however, if the pages are stuck in a place of no letters it’s permissible to pull the pages apart. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:1 </ref>
-# It’s preferable not to open a book with words or pictures written across the edge of their leaves and are broken and put back together when the book is opened and closed, however, many authorities permit opening the book in such a case. The problem is best avoided by not writing on the edge of books. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:2 </ref>
+===Writing on the Side of Books===
+{{Writing on the Side of Books}}
 ==Broken books==
-# If a page is torn in a book it’s permissible to place the two half pages next to one another in order to read it if no other copy of the same book is available, however one may not tape the two pieces together. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:3 </ref>
+# If a page is torn in a book it’s permissible to place the two half pages next to one another in order to read it, if there no other copy of the same book is available, however, one may not tape the two pieces together. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:3 </ref>
-# One may not sort loose pages that fell out of a broken book in a particular order unless one intends to read them immediately. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:8 </ref>
+# One may not sort loose pages that fell out of a broken book in a particular order unless one intends to read them immediately. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:8 </ref> See the [[Borer]] page for more details.
+==Notebooks==
+# If a notebook is empty it’s [[muktzeh]]. If it is partially filled, and the pages of content have some importance and one sometimes reads them, then, the notebook is not [[Muktzeh]] and one may turn the blank pages in order to reach the pages of content. However, if the pages of content aren’t of importance and one doesn’t read them, then the notebook as a whole is [[Muktzeh]] and should not be moved. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:10 </ref>
 ==Loose-leaf binders==
-# It’s permissible to open and close the rings of a loose-leaf binder. <ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:9 </ref>
+# It’s permissible to open and close the rings of a loose-leaf binder.<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:9 </ref>
-# A loose leaf binder that contains commercial documents, building plans, account documents, passports, or identity certificates is considered Muktzeh and shouldn’t be moved. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:9 </ref>
+# A loose leaf binder that contains commercial documents, building plans, account documents, passports, or identity certificates is considered [[Muktzeh]] and shouldn’t be moved. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:9 </ref>
-# Blank pieces of paper are Muktzeh. If a loose-leaf binder has pages with content together with blank pages, and the pages of content have some importance and one sometimes reads them, then, the binder is not Muktzeh and one may turn the blank pages in order to reach the pages of content. However, if the pages of content aren’t of importance and one doesn’t read them, then the binder as a whole is Muktzeh and should be moved. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:9 </ref>
+# If a loose-leaf binder has pages with content together with blank pages, and the pages of content have some importance and one sometimes reads them, then, the binder is not [[Muktzeh]] and one may turn the blank pages in order to reach the pages of content. However, if the pages of content aren’t of importance and one doesn’t read them, then the binder as a whole is [[Muktzeh]] and should be moved. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:9. Sh"t Iggerot Moshe OC 5:21:8 writes that whether the pages of the loose leaf are considered one unit depends on why you connected them. If it is one unit then the blank pages the entire binder isn't muktzeh. If you left in the pages together so that if that there's a mistake you can remove them then it isn't one unit. If you left the pages together so that it is easier to print them at the end then it is one unit.</ref>
+==Blank Paper==
+# Blank pieces of paper are [[Muktzeh]].<ref> Magen Avraham 308:10 quotes the Shiltei Giborim 34a that blank paper is muktzeh machmat chisaron kis. Igrot Moshe 4:72 agrees and applies it to his time as well saying that regular people don't throw out paper for no reason even though it is cheap. R' Nissim Karelitz agrees. However, Dirshu 308:6 cites Rav Elyashiv, Shevet Halevi, and Shemirat Shabbat Kehichata that blank paper is not muktzeh machmat chisaron kis today. Igrot Moshe 5:22:1 writes that blank paper today have no use at all and are muktzeh machmat gufo according to those who consider [[Kli Shekol Melachto Lisur]] to be muktzeh. Using them as a bookmark doesn't make them into a kli since it isn't a significant use.</ref>
-==Notebooks==
-# If a notebook is empty it’s mutkzeh. If it is partially filled, and the pages of content have some importance and one sometimes reads them, then, the notebook is not Muktzeh and one may turn the blank pages in order to reach the pages of content. However, if the pages of content aren’t of importance and one doesn’t read them, then the notebook as a whole is Muktzeh and should be moved. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:10 </ref>
 ==Index cards==
-# It’s permissible to remove an index card from an index in one plans on using that card immediately. If unintentionally, the wrong card was removed, no transgression was incurred. <ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata (in old edition 3:43, in the new 3:47) </ref>
+# It’s permissible to remove an index card from an index if one plans on using that card immediately. If unintentionally, the wrong card was removed, no transgression was incurred.<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata (in old edition 3:43, in the new 3:47) </ref>
-# If one has removed a (single) card, it’s permissible to find a place in the index to replace it. <ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata (in old edition 3:43, in the new 3:47) </ref>
+# If one has removed a (single) card, it’s permissible to find a place in the index to replace it.<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata (in old edition 3:43, in the new 3:47) </ref>
 ==Loose papers==
 # One may not sort loose pages that fell out of a broken book in a particular order. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:8 </ref>
+==Post-it==
+See [http://halachipedia.com/documents/5773/13.pdf Practical Applications of Tofer]
+==Putting Books on the Shelf==
+see [[Borer#Putting_books_back_on_shelf | Putting books back on Shelf]] on [[Borer]] page
+==Related Pages==
+[[Reading on Shabbat]]<br />
 ==Sources==
 <references/>
+[[Category:Shabbat]]
+{{Shabbat Table}}

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Latest revision as of 16:51, 13 July 2023

Contents

Books

Writing on the Side of Books

Broken books

Notebooks

Loose-leaf binders

Blank Paper

Index cards

Loose papers

Post-it

Putting Books on the Shelf

Related Pages

Sources

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Books, Notebooks, and Papers on Shabbat: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 16:51, 13 July 2023

Books

Writing on the Side of Books

Broken books

Notebooks

Loose-leaf binders

Blank Paper

Index cards

Loose papers

Post-it

Putting Books on the Shelf

Related Pages

Sources

Navigation

Wiki tools

Page tools

Categories