1) It is forbidden to assemble parts of a utensil in a firm way, even if they are not actually attached with anything and are simply held together by clinging snugly to each other.
This is a rabbinical prohibition enacted as we are concerned that if they are put together this way it will lead to fastening them together with a screw or other item which will then be a biblical transgression.
Thus, according to some Poskim there is no prohibition to disassemble such an item as there is no concern that doing so will lead to any biblical melacha. (See Shulchan Aruch HaRav Siman 313:22 and Chazon Ish Siman 50:10 Dibur Hamaschil Shabbos)
2) If the parts are assembled loosely it is permitted, even if the item is rendered useable only by virtue of being assembled, such as a folding chair or bed, as long as it is an item that is meant to assemble and disassemble regularly and is an item that is always assembled loosely. (See Talmud Shabbos 47b and Shulchan Aruch Siman 313:6. If the item is intended to remain assembled indefinitely it is prohibited, not due to Boneh but due to Makeh B'Patish. See Chazon Ish Siman 50:9)
The definition of firm or loose is determined by how easily the parts are attached to one another; if it takes some strength to disassemble the parts it is considered firmly attached whereas if it comes apart easily it is considered to have been attached loosely. (See Orchos Shabbos Perek 8:45)
An item that has never yet been assembled may not be assembled on Shabbos for the first time, even if it is done in a loose fashion, as even though there is no prohibition of Boneh with such a loose assembly, there still will be a biblical transgression of Makeh B'patish. (See Mishna Berura Siman 340:33)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) A screw that fell out of a temple on a pair of eyeglasses may not be reinserted on Shabbos even if only screwing in loosely, and doing so is a prohibition of the Melacha of Boneh.
Even if the screw did not totally fall out and only became undone partially, it may not be tightened on Shabbos.
If the screw that connects the temple to the eyeglass frame got lost, in situations where the temple does not become Muktzeh (such as if another suitable screw is not available and thus we are not concerned it may be fixed properly; See Mishna Berura Siman 308:69) a safety pin may be inserted to hold the frame in place until after Shabbos when it can be taken to the shop and fixed properly. (ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal quoted in Sefer M'Or HaShabbos Vol. 2 in a letter at the end of the Sefer 29:3)
However, it may not be attached with any adhesives or by inserting a metal wire in the screw hole.
2) A lens that fell out of a pair of eyeglasses due to the screw holding it in place becoming loose, may not be returned to the frame on Shabbos, even loosely, as we are concerned that when doing so the screw will be tightened and thus be a transgression of the Melacha of Boneh.
Furthermore, in this case the frame as well as the lens become Muktzeh and may not be moved on Shabbos.
If, however, the lens popped out due to the frame bending or stretching (common in frames that do not utilize screws to hold the lens in place), it may be replaced loosely for use on Shabbos but not inserted tightly as it would be during the week.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
Why in the fourth bracha of birkas hamazon is there twice a mention of rachamim (heavenly mercy)? Wouldn't once suffice?
Answer:
There is no limit to the amount of Rachamim we need from Hashem.
That being said, I believe the Pshat is as follows: We all need Rachamim, hence we request it.
We follow that with a request for Parnassah. Once Hashem gives us bountiful Parnassah we tend to forget where our Parnassah came from and then we are in danger of slipping in our Avodas Hashem, thus we must once again request rachamim from Hashem to keep us on the right path despite being blessed with Parnassah.
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmos the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Chaim Yaakov Stein Zatzal and the Mir Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Noson Tzvi Finkel Zatzal. May we all strive to follow in their ways and may they both be Melitzei Yosher for all of Klal Yisroel.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
When the Almighty sends suffering, many become depressed and full of anxiety.
Your attitude towards suffering is a sign of your internalized belief in the afterlife.
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin in his book "Gateway to Happiness", quoting Rav Yerucham Levovitz Zatzal, Mashgiach of Mir
Important Numbers
