Template:Diapers on Shabbat
From Halachipedia
Velcro Diapers
- It is completely permitted to use Velcro diapers on Shabbat.[1] The discussion of the poskim in the past about opening and closing diapers was all about diapers with sticky tabs and was a major dispute and not simple. However, today's diapers are generally all made with Velcro, loops and hooks, and aren't any question.
Sticky Tab Diapers
- Most authorities permit putting on a diaper on Shabbat by sticking the tabs of the diaper to the diaper.[2] (Also see Tofer).
- Nonetheless, one should be careful and open the diaper slowly so that one doesn’t rip it and leave the tabs attached permanently.[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.[4] However, there are those who disagree and permit it.[5]
- Diapers which have an adhesive that needs to be unfastened and then taped onto the diaper. While it is praiseworthy to be stringent and unfasten them and then refasten them again before Shabbos,[6] one can be lenient if he failed to do so.[7]
Tearing to Separate Flaps
- 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.[8]
Wetness Indicator
- ↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchato 15:79, Ish Matzliach OC 340:14
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Sh”t Yacheve Daat 6:23
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Sha'arim Metzuyanim L'Halacha 80:45
- ↑ 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. Dor Hamelaktim v. 6 p. 3773 quotes Shabbos Home (p. 95), Children in Halacha (p. 117), Nishmat Shabbat 340:194, Mechzeh Eliyahu (Piyha Patcha Bchachma 1:12:7:1), Orchot Shabbat ch. 11 fnt. 41, Shvut Yitzchak v. 13 p. 241, Torat Hamelachot 340:34 quoting Rav Karelitz as lenient. On the other hand, they quote Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz that it is makeh bpatish to separate the sides on Shabbat since in the factory the edges are connected before it is useable since it is only cut afterwards. They include a letter from Pampers that this indeed is how it is made in the factory.
- ↑ 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.
