Opening Bottles, Cans, and Packages: Difference between revisions

# If a container (bag, can, or bottle) is usually reused after having been emptied, it is forbidden to open whether or not one intends to reuse it. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 9:2, [[Shabbos]] Kitchen (pg 187-8) similarly forbids opening wrappers, bags, and boxes, unless one rips it to the extent that the bag is unusable afterwards and one is careful about not [[ripping]] the letters.  </ref>

# If a container is usually used to keep the original contents after having been opened, but not usually reused, it’s forbidden to open on [[Shabbat]]. However, some are lenient if one really intends not to reuse it and one does not make a neat convenient opening. <Ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 9:3 </ref>

# It's permissible to rip open a miniature pack of sugar which is thrown out right after it's opened. <Ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 9:4. </ref> Similarly, one may rip open a candy wrapper, bandaid wrapper, plastic or paper seal around wine bottles or jars because these are usually ripped and discarded immediately. <ref>39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 3, pg 833). Chazon Ish (51:11) says that even if you have intent to throw it out, it’s still forbidden because you might end up using it. Additionally, if you don’t empty it right away, the bag acts as a kli in regards to its contents. Finally, the Chazon Ish suggests that your intent is irrelevant; in the end of the day, you’re still making a kli. It should be noted that Minchas Yitzchak 4:82:36 believes that the Chazon Ish was only talking about when you specifically have intent to not throw it out, but he would actually agree that if it is generally thrown out, it would be permitted.<br/>  </ref>

# It’s forbidden to take special care to rip a neat hole to be used as a opening or to rip open a container along the lines marked for perforation. <Ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 9:5-6 </ref>