Electronics

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While it’s off

  1. Shalmei Yehuda (pg 37) quotes Rabbi Binyamin Zilber who holds that if the electronic is only turned off it’s still a Kli Sh’Melachto LeIssur. Sefer Tiltulei Shabbat (pg 50) quotes Rabbi Moshe Feinstein who holds that if the electronic isn’t a Muktzeh Machmat Chisaron Kis because of its value, it’s only a Kli Sh’Melachto LeIssur (this seemingly includes when it’s turned off). [Similarly, Zachor VeShamor 41:4 concerning flashlights The Weekly Halacha Discussion (vol 2 pg 338) concerning toasters agree with Rav Moshe in considering them Kli Sh’Melachto LeIssur.]
  2. However, Shalmei Yehuda (pg 37, 40) quoting Rav Elyashiv considers electronics that are turned off to be broken instruments and so they are Muktzeh Machmat Gufo.

While it’s on

  1. Sh”t Igrot Moshe 3:49, Sh”t Az Nidbaru 8:33, Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef (Halichot Olam pg 194), and Rav Elyashiv (quoted by Shalmei Yehuda pg 37, 51) consider electronics that are on and are useable on Shabbat are considered Kli Sh’Melachto LeIssur, while Shalmei Yehuda (pg 37) quotes Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach who considers them Kli Sh’Melachto LeHeter. [It seems Rav Moshe really holds electronics are Kli SheMelachto LeHeter, see Sh”t Igrot Moshe O”C 5:23.]
  2. Tiltulei Shabbat (pg 52) quotes Rav Moshe and Rav Shlomo Zalman who permit moving the fan’s direction even to move the breeze away from him. However, Sh”t Bear Moshe 8:31 holds that it’s only permissible to turn the fan blades if one is directing the air towards him, but to direct the blades away from him would be forbidden.
  3. If moving the electronic will make it turn off or pause, it may not be moved at all.[1]

If it’s expensive

  1. If the electronic is expensive enough that the owner is careful to make it doesn’t get broken, the electronic Muktzeh Machmat Chisaron Kis according to everyone. [2]

Sources

  1. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 13:35
  2. Tiltulei Shabbat (pg 50), Shalmei Yehuda (pg 40)