Q. During the large snowfall last Shabbat, the practically had us and many others locked down and unable in some cases even to open the home door to go to shul, was it permitted to use a shovel and remove the snow as needed?
On question 394 regarding shoveling snow on Shabbos, we wrote: “Sh’miras Shabbos Kehilchoso (16: note 110) quoting Rav S. Z. Auerbach Zt’l rules that snow that fell on Shabbos is not muktze (see Mishna Berura 338: 30). Igrois Moishe (O.H. 5: 22: 37) disagrees.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in case of real need, as when you cannot enter or exit, you may shovel what is essential. The ground bellow should be paved or cemented and one should be permitted to carry in that area.
If possible, one should ask a Gentile to do the shoveling.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
Important Numbers
