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[[Writing on Shabbat]] is one of the 39 primary melachot of [[Shabbat]]. <ref> Mishna [[Shabbat]] 7:2, Daf 73a. Rashi 73a says that writing is counted among the melachot because in the mishkan they would write on each board of the Mishkan in order to return it to its correct place whenever the Mishkan was reassembled </ref> The topic of [[erasing on Shabbat]] is dealt with on a its own page. | [[Writing on Shabbat]] is one of the 39 primary melachot of [[Shabbat]].<ref> Mishna [[Shabbat]] 7:2, Daf 73a. Rashi 73a says that writing is counted among the melachot because in the mishkan they would write on each board of the Mishkan in order to return it to its correct place whenever the Mishkan was reassembled </ref> The topic of [[erasing on Shabbat]] is dealt with on a its own page. | ||
== | ==Definition== | ||
# One who writes two letters on [[shabbat]] is chayav for the melacha of kotaiv, but if one letter is significant enough that qualifies as well. <ref> Mishna in Masechet [[Shabbat]] 73a writes that the prohibited melacha is for two letters but the gemara 104b says if it is one letter that finishes off the book, you are also obligated. The Avnei Nezer 201 explains that this is because it gives it significance. </ref> | # One who writes two letters on [[shabbat]] is chayav for the melacha of kotaiv<ref> Rambam Hilchos Shabbos 11:9, 17. </ref>, but if one letter is significant enough that qualifies as well.<ref> The Mishna in Masechet [[Shabbat]] 73a writes that the prohibited melacha is for two letters but the gemara 104b says if it is one letter that finishes off the book, you are also obligated. The Avnei Nezer 201 explains that this is because it gives it significance. </ref> | ||
# Writing any kind of letter or symbol (that represents some idea) is forbidden under Kotaiv. <Ref> Rambam [[Shabbat]] 11:9. Beiur Halacha 340:4 b'mashkin writes that based on [[Shabbat]] Yerushalmi 7:2 that if you draw a picture you are liable </ref> | # The letters must have some particular meaning. For example, drawing a random line on a paper would not be considered an act of kosaiv, but nevertheless it is forbidden on a rabbinic level.<ref> Shulchan Aruch O.C. 340:24 </ref> | ||
# Affixing letters to a surface is also considered Kotaiv. <Ref> | # Writing any kind of letter or symbol (that represents some idea) is forbidden under Kotaiv. <Ref> Rambam [[Shabbat]] 11:9. Beiur Halacha 340:4 b'mashkin writes that based on [[Shabbat]] Yerushalmi 7:2 that if you draw a picture you are liable </ref> There is a dispute how to classify drawing designs.<ref> Rambam (Shabbos 11:17) considers Roshem to be a toldah of kosaiv , while Rashi (Shabbos 103 s.v. mishum) explains the opinion of Rabbi Yose differently. Mishna Brurah 340:22 codifies the Rambam. </ref> | ||
# Affixing letters to a surface is also considered Kotaiv. <Ref> Magen Avraham 340:10, Mishna Brurah 340:22 (8) </ref>Examples include: | |||
## Attaching letters to a wallpaper, | ## Attaching letters to a wallpaper, | ||
## Placing magnetic letters to a board | ## Placing magnetic letters to a board | ||
## Arranging edible letters onto a cake. | ## Arranging edible letters onto a cake. | ||
## Snapping Scrabble letter tiles into fitted groves | ## Snapping Scrabble letter tiles into fitted groves<Ref>39 Melachos v. 3 p. 951. See [[Games_on_Shabbat#Magnets]] for more about magnets on Shabbat.</ref> | ||
# However, if the letters exist on a surface already it’s permissible to arrange them in an order. <Ref> Sh”t Igrot Moshe O”C 1:135 </ref>Examples include: | # However, if the letters exist on a surface already it’s permissible to arrange them in an order.<Ref> Sh”t Igrot Moshe O”C 1:135 </ref>Examples include: | ||
## Arranging number cards in front of the shul to show congregants the correct page number | ## Arranging number cards in front of the shul to show congregants the correct page number | ||
## Lining up numbers of a combination lock <ref> Sh"t Tzitz Eliezer 13:44, Sh"t Bitzel Hachochma vol Siman 78, Shevet HaKehati 2:153, Shalmei Yehuda 3:16 in the name of Rav Elyashiv, Mishnat Halachot 5:48, Chelkat Yaakov 3:150, Divrei Shalom 4:51 </ref> | ## Lining up numbers of a combination lock <ref> Sh"t Tzitz Eliezer 13:44, Sh"t Bitzel Hachochma vol Siman 78, Shevet HaKehati 2:153, Shalmei Yehuda 3:16 in the name of Rav Elyashiv, Mishnat Halachot 5:48, Chelkat Yaakov 3:150, Divrei Shalom 4:51 </ref> | ||
## Playing a game that entails placing numbered tiles adjacent to one another | ## Playing a game that entails placing numbered tiles adjacent to one another | ||
#It is only forbidden by the torah if the writing is permanent, but even if it is temporary it is forbidden by the rabbis. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 340:4 quoting the Or Zarua 76 that non-permanent ink is forbidden midirabanan. </ref> | #It is only forbidden by the torah if the writing is permanent, but even if it is temporary it is forbidden by the rabbis.<ref> Shulchan Aruch 340:4 quoting the Or Zarua 76 that non-permanent ink is forbidden midirabanan. </ref> | ||
==In the Mishkan== | |||
# The act of writing was used in the Mishkan to identify the position of each of the kerashim (planks). This was accomplished by inscribing a symbol on each keresh.<ref> Shabbos 103b </ref> Alternatively, the act of writing was needed to keep track of money and valuable materials that were being donated for the building of the mishkan.<ref> Avnei Neizer 199:10 </ref> | |||
==Forms of writing== | ==Forms of writing== | ||
# It’s forbidden to write on a table with liquids on his finger. <Ref> S”A 340:4, Mishna Brurah 340:19 </ref> | # It’s forbidden to write on a table with liquids on his finger. <Ref> S”A 340:4, Mishna Brurah 340:19 </ref> | ||
# It’s forbidden to write letters in fog or steam. <ref> Mishna Brurah 340:20 </ref> | # It’s forbidden to write letters in fog or steam.<ref> Mishna Brurah 340:20 </ref> | ||
# Fingerprinting (dipping one’s finger into ink and then placing it on paper) is forbidden as it forms a meaningful image. <Ref> Shemirat | # Fingerprinting (dipping one’s finger into ink and then placing it on paper) is forbidden as it forms a meaningful image. <Ref> Shemirat Shabbat KeHalachata 41:75, Eretz Tzvi Siman 71,Yeshuot Moshe 1:70, Shuirim Metzuyanim BeHalacha 80:55, Chelkat Yakov 3:25, Nachalat Ezra Hadaya O”C 1:7, Vayeshev Moshe 1:62 </ref> | ||
# One may signal in the air, water or on a dry board in the form of letters if it doesn’t leave any mark. <Ref> Rama 340:4, Mishna Brurah 340:22, Shar Tzion 340:28 </ref> | # One may signal in the air, water or on a dry board in the form of letters if it doesn’t leave any mark. <Ref> Rama 340:4, Mishna Brurah 340:22, Shar Tzion 340:28 </ref> | ||
==Pictures== | ==Pictures== | ||
# Taking a photograph is forbidden as it draws an image, but one does not have to avoid being in a picture taken by a non-Jew for his own purposes. <Ref> Mayim | # Taking a photograph is forbidden as it draws an image, but one does not have to avoid being in a picture taken by a non-Jew for his own purposes. <Ref> Mayim Chaim O”C 1: 145, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 16:26, Rivivot Efraim 3:230 </ref> | ||
# Regarding walking in an area where there is a surveillance camera, see [[Electronics on Shabbat]]. | # Regarding walking in an area where there is a surveillance camera, see [[Electronics on Shabbat]]. | ||
==Books== | ==Books== | ||
# One may mark (not in the form a letter) a parchment by pressing one's nail on the parchment because it doesn’t last, yet it’s preferable not to do this because some authorities forbid this. <Ref> S”A 340:5, Birkei Yosef 340:5 that Or Zaruah and Smak forbid, Beiur Halacha s.v. “Mutar” </ref> However, all opinions agree that it’s forbidden to mark a paper as it’s soft and the mark will last. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 340:25 </ref> | # One may mark (not in the form a letter) a parchment by pressing one's nail on the parchment because it doesn’t last, yet it’s preferable not to do this because some authorities forbid this. <Ref> S”A 340:5, Birkei Yosef 340:5 that Or Zaruah and Smak forbid, Beiur Halacha s.v. “Mutar” </ref> However, all opinions agree that it’s forbidden to mark a paper as it’s soft and the mark will last. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 340:25 </ref> | ||
# One may fold the page of a book to mark the place even if the crease leaves a lasting mark. <Ref> Menuchat Ahava 22:25 | # One may fold the page of a book to mark the place even if the crease leaves a lasting mark.<Ref> Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 28:16 and Menuchat Ahava 22:25. Shevet Hakehati 1:130 writes that it’s better not to fold the pages even during the week so as not to disrespect the sefer. See also Rivivot Efraim 1:223 (11) </ref> | ||
# If a page in a book ripped where words are written, it’s permissible to place the pieces next to one another in order to read it, if one doesn’t have another copy of that book. <Ref> Mishnat Halachot vol 6 Siman 89, Sh"t Be'er Moshe 6:125, Shemirat | # If a page in a book ripped where words are written, it’s permissible to place the pieces next to one another in order to read it, if one doesn’t have another copy of that book.<Ref> Mishnat Halachot vol 6 Siman 89, Sh"t Be'er Moshe 6:125, Shemirat Shabbat KeHalichata 28:2, Igrot Moshe Y”D vol 2 Siman 75 s.v. “VeDvar HaDaf” </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 | # 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> | ||
===Writing on the Side of Books=== | ===Writing on the Side of Books=== | ||
{{Writing on the Side of Books}} | {{Writing on the Side of Books}} | ||
==Other Practical Examples== | ==Other Practical Examples== | ||
# It’s permissible to walk in shoes that have words etched into the soles that form words when walking on dirt or snow. <Ref> Yabia Omer O”C 5:28, Az Nidaberu 8:21, Beir Sharim 2:67, 3:38:3. </ref> | # It’s permissible to walk in shoes that have words etched into the soles that form words when walking on dirt or snow. <Ref> Yabia Omer O”C 5:28, Az Nidaberu 8:21, Beir Sharim 2:67, 3:38:3. </ref> | ||
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# Regarding putting together a jigsaw puzzle on [[Shabbat]], see [[Games on Shabbat]]. | # Regarding putting together a jigsaw puzzle on [[Shabbat]], see [[Games on Shabbat]]. | ||
==Links== | |||
* [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/734630/Rabbi_Michael_Taubes/Writing_on_Shabbat_ Writing on Shabbat] by Rabbi Michael Taubes | |||
* Article on [http://www.yeshiva.co/midrash/shiur.asp?cat=296&id=20615&q= Writing on Shabbat] by Rabbi Yirmiyahu Kaganoff | |||
* Article on [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/744329/Rabbi_Josh_Flug/The_Melacha_of_Writing_on_Shabbat The Melacha of Writing on Shabbat] by Rabbi Josh Flug | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Orach Chaim]] | |||
[[Category:Shabbat]] | [[Category:Shabbat]] | ||
