Template:Diapers on Shabbat

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  1. Most authorities permit putting on a diaper on Shabbat by sticking the tabs of the diaper to the diaper.[1] (Also see Tofer).
  2. Nonetheless, one should be careful and open the diaper slowly so that one doesn’t rip it and leave the tabs attached permanently.[2]
  3. There are those who prohibit the use of the flaps to close the diaper when disposing of it, as that will result in a permanent connection.[3] However, there are those who disagree and permit it.[4]
  4. Most diapers have an adhesive that needs to be unfastened and then taped onto the diaper. While it is praiseworthy to to be stringent and unfasten them and then refasten them again before Shabbos,[5] one can be lenient if he failed to do so.[6]
  5. It is permitted to open a diaper on Shabbat even if the flaps are stuck to the back of the diaper and they need to be torn on the perforations to be opened.[7]
  6. One may use a diaper which has a wetness indicator on Shabbat.[8]
  1. Minchat Yitzchak 5:39 (Dayan Weiss) is strict on diapers. Sh”t Bear Moshe 6:14 is lenient about using pampers on Shabbat since it’s only a temporary connection. Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 16:6 is lenient because it isn’t not even considered temporary. 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat; pg 813) permits since the tabs are made to be used that way. Children in Halacha (Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen; pg 212-3) and Chazon Ovadia v. 5 p. 85 are lenient. See http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=7/25/2005.
  2. Sh”t Yacheve Daat 6:23
  3. Rabbi Belsky as quoted in Halachically Speaking 3:14 https://www.thehalacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Vol3Issue14.pdf 39 Melachos (Rav Ribiat; pg 814), Menuchat Ahava 2:15:11, and Rabbi Mansour (http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=7/25/2005) hold that it is forbidden to wrap up the diaper after it is used since the connection will remain permanent.
  4. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach quoted in Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata ch. 35 fnt. 67 and ch. 15 fnt. 233 explained that leaving something connected until it is destroyed if one doesn't actually care about it staying connected isn't considered as though one connected it permanently. Therefore, it is permitted to wrap up the diaper before throwing it out so that it doesn't open up and become a mess.
  5. Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 16:81. Hence when putting on the diaper you would not be "ripping" something that was "sewn" for over twenty four hours.
  6. Sha'arim Metzuyanim L'Halacha 80:45
  7. 39 Melachot v. 3 p. 846 writes that the flaps are only connected to the back of the diaper in the cutting process and because of the friction they are connected. The same is true of the packaging process. Since they are only connected temporarily it isn't koreah to tear it apart (see Mishna Brurah 340:45 regarding pages stuck together). Similarly, it isn't makeh bpatish since it already resembled a diaper when it was cut even before it was completed. Therefore, tearing these flaps isn't creating a diaper.
  8. Shimirat Shabbat K'hilchata 15:88. The reason being that one does not care about the color, even though it is convenient since the main function of the diaper is for its intended purpose and not for design it would be a davar sh'eno mitkaven.