Opening Bottles, Cans, and Packages: Difference between revisions

*There may be an issue of mechateich, measured cutting, if the container is opened on perforated lines. Rav Shlomo Zalman (quoted in Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa Perek 11 Footnote 31) says that even when poskim get around the above issurim and say that it’s permitted to open a container, they agree that it would be an issur of mocheik if you tear words in the process. However, Yalkut Yosef Shabbos 314:19 paskins that it is not an issue of mocheik, because we are only dealing with mocheik drabanan (because it is not al minas lichtov), and you also are not miskavein, and get no hanaah from erasing the letters, so it’s a Psik Reisha D’lo Nicha Leih, and therefore it’s permitted lchatchila.<br /></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, Tiferet 314:3 citing Or Letzion 2:27:7 and Chazon Ovadia Shabbat v. 5 p. 365 </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>

#Even among those who are strict, many permit opening a bottle with a plastic bottle cap because it had the form of a cap before it was ever attached and therefore separating the ring doesn't create a new utensil.<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 9:17 (new edition 9:18), [[Shabbos]] Kitchen (Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen, pg 184-6), and 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 3, pg 841). 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 3, pg 841) writes that a less preferable option is to twist off the cap and discard it immediately and it may be useful to have another cap handy. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach explains that it is forbidden to open a bottle cap for the first time on Shabbos because in the process one is creating a new kli, i.e. a bottle cap that can now be used to cover bottles. While it was attached to the bottle it was not yet a kli, because it could not be screwed on and off of a bottle, which Rav Shlomo Zalman considers the key function of a bottle cap. (Minchas Shlomo 2:32) Also, if one was to break the bottle and slide off the cap as is, without breaking off the ring, it would not be functional as a cap at all. (Minchas Shlomo 1:91:12)<br /> However, Rav Shlomo Zalman distinguishes between a metal bottle cap and a plastic bottle cap. The above issues are all in regards to a metal bottle cap. A plastic bottle cap is different, because the ring is thinner, and majority of it is not attached to the cap. Therefore, it is recognizable that the ring is a separate entity from the cap itself and is meant to be removed. Based on this, Rav Shlomo Zalman paskins that it is forbidden to open metal bottle caps and permitted to open plastic bottle caps.<br /> Rav Ribiat thinks that the plastic caps that Rav Shlomo Zalman allows, which were from Eretz Yisrael, are different from the plastic caps that we have in America. (39 Melachos Makeh B’Patish footnote 96c). See Meor HaShabbos page 482 who offers a new leniency for plastic caps after researching the production of plastic soda bottles.</ref>

*Dor Hamelaktim v. 4 p. 2115 quotes many who forbid opening soda cans including Rav Moshe Feinstein (Haarot Bhalacha 2:45), Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky (Haarot Bhlacha 2:45), Rav Sheinberg (Haarot Bhalacha 2:45), Rav Elyashiv (Orchot Shabbat 11:61, Ashrei Haish 2:31:14), Rav Wosner (Kovetz Mbet Levi v. 6 p. 45), Chut Shani v. 2 p. 274, Shulchan Halevi 8:8, Rav Nevinsal responsa 293:130, and Megilat Sefer 14:4. They also cite Rav Shlomo Zalman (Minchat Shlomo 2:12) and Even Yisrael (Pitchei Halacha 2:45) as lenient.</ref>

#A person should not open an envelope on Shabbat even by asking a non-Jew. One could hint to the non-Jew that he isn't allowed to open it on Shabbat and if he figures out to open it that is permitted.<ref>Mishna Brurah 340:41. Biur Halacha 340:13 s.v. haniyar explains that the Pri Chadash YD 118 holds that opening a letter on Shabbat is kore'ah on a Biblical level since the destruction of the envelope is constructive for accessing the letter. The Biur Halacha concludes that this would depend on Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Shimon regarding melacha shein tzaricha lgufa and as such one should be strict not to treat this is a rabbinic prohibition and ask a non-Jew even if it is a mitzvah need.</ref>