This episode completes Siman 340 of the Mishnah Berurah, covering the melachot of Losh (kneading), Kore’a (tearing), and Tofer (sewing) and their derivatives as they apply to everyday Shabbat situations. Topics include making paste or dough from seeds, tearing paper or earthenware for a purpose, opening sealed letters, and practical halachic guidance on toilet paper on Shabbat—including allowances for human dignity when done in an unusual manner. The episode also explores gluing and separating pages or parchment, when tearing is considered constructive versus destructive, removing wax or glue from letters, separating unintentionally stuck pages, and common cases such as torn clothing, new garments, and incidental tearing without intent. 

This episode continues the laws of Shabbos focusing on returning stuffing to cushions and pillows, clarifying when repair is permitted and when creating something new is forbidden. We then explore the prohibition of gathering items on Shabbos, including evaporated salt and agricultural produce, and define when “gathering” constitutes a biblical violation versus a rabbinic concern. Practical examples include fruit in the home versus the field, minimal liability measures, and classic cases such as pressing figs together. The discussion concludes with a note on separating foods from mixtures and how this relates to the laws of separation, setting the stage for upcoming episodes.

This episode examines the Shabbos prohibition of sewing, focusing on tightening loose threads and functional stitching. We discuss when pulling a thread to reconnect fabric constitutes a biblical violation, the role of knots versus multiple stitches, and cases where liability applies even without a knot. The shiur also clarifies rabbinic prohibitions, attaching items to garments, and the use of pins or stitches. Finally, it addresses drawstring-style sleeves and arm fastenings—distinguishing between prohibited tightening that resembles sewing and permitted adjustments designed for regular opening and closing. Clear practical guidance for common clothing scenarios on Shabbos.

This episode continues the Mishnah Berurah’s detailed analysis of the laws of writing on Shabbat, expanding beyond the Shulchan Aruch’s brief treatment. It clarifies when writing two letters creates biblical liability, including cases where letters are written on separate surfaces that can be read together. The discussion covers writing in abnormal ways (left hand, foot, mouth), writing through another person, destructive writing, artistic designs, appliqué letters, puzzles and letter games, erasing in order to correct or rewrite, and scoring or marking lines for writing, cutting, or construction. The episode concludes with practical distinctions between biblical and rabbinic prohibitions, including leniencies such as temporary fingernail marks used only as reminders, and why these differences matter for real-life Shabbat observance.

This episode explores the laws of writing and erasing on Shabbat, focusing on what creates biblical liability versus rabbinic prohibition. Writing is biblically prohibited only when a lasting mark is made with a lasting substance on a lasting surface. Writing with liquids, ash, sand, or on surfaces where the mark won’t endure is rabbinically forbidden but not biblically liable. Making signs in the air or tracing letters without leaving a recognizable impression is permitted.

The discussion also covers writing on skin, impressions on glass, congealed substances, and engraving versus marking. Key rules are clarified regarding erasing, writing over existing letters, changing colors, and when an act counts as constructive or destructive. Finally, the episode explains the minimum measure for liability—two letters—how intent affects responsibility, and why writing is prohibited in any language or symbol system.

A clear, practical framework for understanding what halachically defines “writing” on Shabbat, and where the critical boundaries lie.

This episode continues the laws of 'shearing' and then erasing on Shabbat. Topics include removing warts, scabs, loose skin, and dry lips; when erasing ink, wax, or smudges creates biblical versus rabbinic liability; and how much erasure constitutes a violation. We explore practical cases such as wax or stains on books and Torah scrolls, erasing in order to rewrite, and intention-based liability. The discussion then turns to modern and everyday scenarios: letters on cakes, children breaking lettered foods, designs formed by molds or edible substances, food packaging graphics, and words printed on the edges of book pages. Clear guidance is given on what is prohibited, what is permitted, and where common custom is lenient—making this a practical guide to erasing and writing issues encountered on Shabbat.

This episode continues the laws near the end of Hilchos Shabbos, focusing on activities related to hair, nails, and shearing that are prohibited on Shabbos as derivatives of the melacha of shearing. We cover cutting hair and nails by hand or with tools, the difference between rabbinic prohibition and biblical liability, and required minimum measures for liability. Practical cases include cutting nails for mikveh preparation, asking a non-Jew in a mitzvah situation, and limited leniencies in cases of great need. The episode also explains why removing gray or white hairs is prohibited even during the week, outlines shearing wool or hair from animals and birds, plucking feathers, wearing animal skins, and related cautions. 

This episode continues the laws of Shabbos as they relate to water. We review why swimming and similar water activities are restricted, including moving floating objects or clearing water in rivers. The discussion then shifts to boats: when entering a boat is permitted, the difference between floating and grounded vessels, and why rafts are treated more strictly. We explore the key principle that boarding a boat before Shabbos can establish it as one’s place of residence, allowing travel during Shabbos, while boarding on Shabbos itself is generally prohibited. The episode concludes with practical cases involving financial loss, mitzvah needs, city limits, and the requirements for properly tying a boat.

This episode continues the laws of Shabbos as they intersect with transactions and legal acts. We cover why consecrations, valuations, gifts to the Temple, separating tithes, firstborn redemption, and issuing divorces are generally prohibited on Shabbos, since they resemble commerce or legal acquisition. The Mishnah Berurah clarifies when actions are valid after the fact, and the unique exception of tithes separated intentionally. The discussion then turns to marriage around Shabbos—especially weddings on Friday—explaining how and when marriage takes halachic effect, with special focus on widows versus first-time brides, seclusion, and ensuring all acquisitions are completed before Shabbos begins.

This episode explores the halachic limits of judicial and legal activity on Shabbos. We learn why courts do not judge cases, issue punishments, imprison offenders, or carry out penalties on Shabbos—rooted in concerns of writing, commerce, and preserving Shabbos as a day of rest even for the guilty. The discussion then turns to key exceptions, including urgent testimony (such as preventing a woman from remaining unable to remarry) and stopping someone from fleeing to cause permanent harm.

The second half focuses on marriage-related restrictions: why engagements, weddings, levirate marriage, and related ceremonies are generally prohibited on Shabbos due to legal and financial consequences. Limited leniencies are examined for cases of great need—such as avoiding severe financial loss, fulfilling the mitzvah of having children, or preventing major embarrassment—especially around twilight before Shabbos. Practical concerns, including writing documents, financial obligations, and handling items like candles, round out the discussion.

This episode concludes the laws of managing rainwater leaking into the home on Shabbos, including when collected water may be moved and when creating an unpleasant situation is prohibited. We then begin a new section covering common Shabbos activities: riding animals, swimming in pools and ponds, and the classic debate over clapping, dancing, and rhythmic movements. The discussion explains the original concerns behind these restrictions, practical distinctions between permitted and prohibited cases, and why later authorities note widespread leniency today—especially in the context of mitzvah-related joy.

This episode explores classic Mishnah Berurah discussions on sound and activity on Shabbos. Topics include mechanical clocks and musical chimes set before Shabbos, alarm clocks and alarms going off on Shabbos, winding watches and stopping alarms, and the distinction between fixing an item versus normal use. We also cover children’s toys, automatic and kinetic watches, clapping and making noise to scare animals, ball games and board games on Shabbos, concerns about weekday-like activities, and when communal custom is relied upon. The episode concludes with practical cases such as drawing water with wheels and protecting fruit from rain on Shabbos. Clear, practical guidance on where noise, play, and preparation cross Shabbos boundaries.

This episode explores the halachic background of playing music on Shabbos, focusing on the original rabbinic decree against music due to concern over repairing instruments. We examine a historical leniency that allowed asking a non-Jew to play (and even repair) instruments for the sake of bringing joy to a bride and groom, based on the concept of a double rabbinic prohibition for a mitzvah. The Mishnah Berurah surveys dissenting opinions, limits of that leniency, and contrasts weddings with other celebrations. The episode concludes with the clear ruling of later authorities that this practice has been fully discontinued, and that today there is no basis to permit instrumental music on Shabbos—even via non-Jews—reflecting the universally accepted custom.

This episode continues the Mishnah Berurah’s discussion of sound production on Shabbos. We clarify the core rule: objects specifically designed to make sound are generally prohibited, even when the intent is not musical. Practical cases include door knockers, rings fixed to doors, bells, tuning forks, and similar sound-producing items. In contrast, making noise with one’s body (knocking with a fist or knuckles, whistling) is permitted. The shiur explores key distinctions—designated purpose versus incidental sound, intent versus outcome—and major views regarding opening doors or curtains that cause bells to ring, including leniencies for mitzvah needs and cases of necessity. We conclude with practical synagogue scenarios, such as silencing a room by banging on a table with a non-designated object.

This episode completes the laws of floor maintenance on Shabbat and opens the topic of sound-making prohibitions. We review why spreading oil or scrubbing floors is restricted—even on paved surfaces—due to concerns of leveling ground and related actions. The discussion extends to placing heavy barrels on the ground, the risk of creating furrows, and why lifting rather than dragging is required.

The episode then introduces the laws of making sounds on Shabbat: musical instruments and music-like sounds are prohibited, while non-musical sounds—such as knocking on a door—are generally permitted. Practical cases include clapping, noise-making to scare birds, soothing a child, dripping water for sound, and using noise to wake someone. The guiding principle is whether the sound is musical, pleasant, and instrument-like, or merely functional.

This episode continues the laws of unintended consequences on Shabbos, focusing on sweeping floors and household cleaning. We explore whether sweeping an unpaved floor is permitted, given the concern that it may level the ground and resemble forbidden labor. The discussion contrasts lenient and stringent views, explains why paved floors are treated differently, and examines concerns of inevitability versus intention.

The episode also covers practical allowances, such as using soft materials (cloths, feathers, soft brushes), asking a non-Jew to sweep, and removing items that are considered repulsive. It concludes with an important related law: avoiding cleaning tools that may break during use, since damaging utensils on Shabbos is itself prohibited.

This episode opens Siman 337 and explores the laws of unintended consequences on Shabbat. Using ploughing as the model case, it explains when an action is permitted if a prohibited result is not intended—and when it becomes forbidden if that result is inevitable. Practical cases include dragging furniture across dirt or grass, watering dusty floors, and ploughing via animals. The key distinction is between a possible side-effect (permitted) and an unavoidable one (prohibited), with clear guidance for everyday Shabbat scenarios.

In this episode, we finish the siman discussing plants and trees on Shabbos, beginning with the laws of dried fruits still attached to dried or living branches. Even when fruit appears detached for tumah, halachically it is still considered attached for Shabbos regarding plucking. We review cases where plants take root in odd locations—like onions under collapsed debris—and when removing them creates biblical liability.

The second half focuses on the rules of using trees: direct use is prohibited, but “side-of-the-side”—an object leaning on something attached to the tree—may be permitted. Practical examples include ladders, pegs, baskets, and hammocks. We clarify when leaning on a tree is allowed (healthy individuals) and when it is prohibited (someone weak who relies on the tree). Any situation that causes the tree to move is forbidden for everyone.

A practical overview of Hilchos Shabbos  regarding plants, blocked gutters, sinks, smelling fragrant plants, and handling flowers or branches in water. We explore when vegetation is considered attached, when one may clear blockages with a shinui, when smelling attached plants is permitted, and key rules about soaking grains, placing branches or flowers in water, and avoiding inadvertent “planting” or “sprouting.” Includes modern applications such as blocked sinks and vases of flowers in the home.

This episode covers Mishnah Berurah 336.4–8, focusing on outdoor activities on Shabbos—especially handling seeds, plants, and potted herbs. We review when scattering seeds for animals is permitted, concerns about accidental sowing, the status of plants growing from moisture on utensils, and the rules for inserting decorative plants into moist soil. We also discuss the halachos of pots with and without holes, moving potted plants, and avoiding inadvertent planting or uprooting.