1) A rubber ball or toy may not be blown up for the first time on Shabbos.
However, if the toy or ball was already blown up at least once before Shabbos, it may once again be blown up on Shabbos and may be plugged with a piece of rubber. (See Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchaso Perek 34:24 quoting Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal.)
2) A balloon that was never inflated may not be blown up for the first time on Shabbos.
A balloon that was once inflated may be blown up on Shabbos provided that this kind of balloon is usually sealed with a rubber plug in order to keep in the air and not tied with a knot.
If this kind of balloon is usually tied with a knot it may not be blown up on Shabbos even if there is no intention to tie it. (See Orchos Shabbos page 292 footnote 103)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) Pearls that got detached from their strand may not be replaced on Shabbos even if the string isn't tied, as we are concerned that it may lead to tying inadvertently.
The above does not apply to the strands of beads that children put together for themselves to wear, as that is permitted as long as they do not tie a knot at the end. (Ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal quoted in Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchaso Perek 16:21. See at length for the reasoning behind the differentiation between adults and children.)
2) A disposable fork which has two parts that need to be attached to form it may be assembled on Shabbos, even if it is being done for the first time. (Ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal in Minchas Shlomo Vol. 2 Siman 13. This is also the ruling of Maran HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita. The Chazon Ish Zatal, however, was stringent. See Orchos Shabbos page 293 footnote 105 for a lengthy explanation of the two sides.)
A cup which is made of two parts that need to be combined into each other may not be assembled for the first time on Shabbos.
If, however, it had been assembled once before, it is permissible to once again put it together on Shabbos, as long as it is easy to assemble.
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:
Can a cup being used for Netilas Yadayim have a spout or not?
Answer:
A pitcher or cup that has a spout through which the water is usually poured out , if the spout is the same height as the rest of the pitcher or cup, it may be used and poured onto the hands via the spout.
If the spout is higher than the pitcher, the water should be poured onto the hands via the side of the pitcher and not via the spout. (See Mishna Berura 159:24. See also Chazon Ish Orach Chaim Siman 21:7 and Shu"t Ohr L'Tzion 46:1 for a more stringent view)
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
Whatever we see in the world, is for the benefit of the world. Never had there been discovered one process in nature that is not good for nature.
We see it raining, and we don't have pity on the poor trees that are getting wet. If the snow falls on the grass and covers is with a heavy blanket, don't have any pity on the grass. It is waiting for that snow. The winds are blowing; they are doing a job that is necessary. It is the winds that feed us. They keep us alive. We would have nothing to eat if not for the wind.
The sun shines; it is benefit for everything on the earth. All the energy that we see in this world is supplied by the sun I am sitting and talking only because the sunlight went into me. The food is still motivating me. And so, the sunlight gives the world energy. Everything contributes to the well being of the world, and everything that He does is because He has pity on human beings.
It is all because of mankind and not because of beasts. Not because of bacteria. Not because of birds. We eat them. We ride on horses and horses don't ride on us. We mine metals. Did we ever see a horse mine metals? Does any animal or bacteria use metals? The earth is full of metals. Only mankind uses metals.
Who shears the wool of sheep and makes it into garments? Only mankind. Who uses plastics that they take out of the materials from the soil? Only mankind. Therefore, the world was made for mankind.
Therefore, we say that everything in this world Hashem planned for the purpose of bestowing kindliness on human beings.
Rav Avigdor Miller Zatzal; from the Simchas Hachaim Foundation email
Important Numbers
