Mechataich
From Halachipedia
 | This article is okay. |
Definition
- Mechateich is defined as cutting any item to a specific, desired size.[1]
- Mechateich applies to all materials. Nonetheless, Mechateich does not apply to foods.[2]
- In order to be chayav for Mechateich, one must perform the cutting in the usual manner, so if the cutting typically involves a tool, one will be patur if he performs the cutting with his hand.[3]
In the Mishkan
- In the Mishkan, Mechateich involved cutting animal skins to specific sizes in order to sew them into coverings for the structure of the Mishkan.[4]
Practical Examples
- One is chayav for tearing off a piece of aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or toilet paper from a long roll to a desired size.[5]
- One violates this melacha by sharpening a pencil[6] or by cutting one’s hair or nails to a desired length when using the appropriate tool.[7] Biting one’s nails or cutting them off by hand would only be a violation derabanan.[8]
- One may tear along the perforated lines of small packets of sugar, salt, ketchup, etc., even though one is cutting to a specific size, because the true purpose of the cutting is to create an opening, and one tears on these lines simply because it makes it easier to open the package. When one cuts along the perforations, he merely intends that the contents from the package should not spill out, not to cut the packet to a particular size.[9]
- Some say that it is permitted to separate yogurt containers that are attached together and it isn't considered Mechataich or Metaken. Nonetheless, one who separates them before Shabbat will be blessed.[10]
Links
- Mechatech by Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger
References
- ↑ Mishna Brurah 322:18
- ↑ Mishna Brurah 322:18
- ↑ Mishna Brurah 322:18
- ↑ 39 Melachos (v. 3, p. 931, 935)
- ↑ Mishna Brurah 340:41
- ↑ See Shabbos 75b where it states that one who drags the end of poles on the ground to sharpen them to a desired size is chayav for Mechateich. See also 39 Melachos (p. 935, note 3).
- ↑ 39 Melachos (p. 936, note 12). This is also a problem of gozez. The Minchat Chinuch in Musach Ha’Shabbos is quoted there stating that nonetheless Brit Mila is not a problem of Mechateich because the only reason we remove the orla is to fulfill Hashem’s commandment.
- ↑ See Mishna Brurah 532:1 where he states that biting and cutting one’s nails is irregular.
- ↑ Shmiras Shabbos Ke’hilchata 9:14 note 25, quoting R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, and note 16. See also Rabbi Dovid Ribiat “39 Melachos” p. 937, note 16, where both reasons discussed in the above paragraph are brought.
- ↑ Yalkut Yosef (Shabbat v. 2, 314:30)
