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Work Category 27, Skinning The prohibition of skinning includes all activity by which the skin of a dead animal, bird or fish is separated from its flesh. Work Category 28, Tanning מעבד The prohibition of tanning includes all activity by which skins are prepared for use. Some examples of this prohibition are: 1. Salting skins. 2. "Working" skins with implements. 3. Trampling on skins to harden them. 4. Bending skins or leather back and forth by hand to soften them. 5. Softening skins or leather by oiling them. Therefore, one should not oil or polish leather even with clear oil or polish. The Sages prohibited changing the state of food because this resembles tanning. Some examples of this Rabbinical prohibition are: 1. Pickling fish, meat and vegetables by heavily salting them. 2. Pickling cucumbers in vinegar. 3. Koshering meat (salting meat to remove the blood). Some Sages state that it is a Biblical prohibition of tanning to change the state of things which are not true foods by heavily salting them, such as grease and fat. Others state that this is a Rabbinical prohibition.
Work Category 29, Marking
with Guide Lines The prohibition of marking with guide lines includes all activity of marking lines on surfaces to prepare them for cutting or writing. It is prohibited to mark by scratching with a tool or finger nail, or by using any material such as ink or paint, on any material, such as paper, parchment, wood, cloth etc.
Work Category 30,
Smoothing The prohibition of smoothing includes all activity by which a surface is smoothed by means of rubbing, smearing, plucking etc. Some examples of this prohibition (Biblical and Rabbinical) are: 1. Removing hair or wool from the skins of dead animals. 2. Plucking feathers from a wing. 3. Scraping off pieces of skin or leather. 4. Spreading a substance such as, plaster, wax, pitch, thick oils, ointments, salves, vaseline, face-cream, lipstick, grease, polish, toothpaste, liquid gel soap, etc. The common denominator of all the above items is that they have a consistency and retain a shape on its own. Therefore, spreading them is prohibited the same as "smoothing." Some prohibit spreading thick oils or ointments even if they do not retain a shape on their own. Lipstick has the added prohibition of dyeing (see work category 15 - Dyeing). One may dilute liquid gel soap with water before Shabbos to arrive at the approximate consistency of water and then use this prepared mixture on Shabbos. Baby oil is usually of the consistency of water and therefore permissible. 5. Rubbing a soap bar, this includes flushing the toilet when a soap-like toilet cleanser bar is attached to the inner side of the bowl, because the water pouring down into the bowl is rubbing the soap-like bar. If it also colors the water there is an added prohibition of dyeing. Therefore, this soap-like bar must be removed before Shobbos. NOTE: Under certain circumstances it may be permissible to spread thick oils or ointments that do not retain a shape on their own, if it is completely absorbed. Therefore, consult a competent Rabbi in specific cases. It is permissible to smooth edible food, such as, spreading butter, jam, peanut butter, etc.
Work Category 31, Cutting The prohibition of cutting includes all activity by which things are shaped to a desired size or shape. The prohibition of cutting applies to any type of material, such as wood, paper, leather, metal, plastic, cloth, etc. It is, however, permitted to cut or shape edible food to specific dimensions for eating. For example, it is permitted to cut cake into specific sizes or shapes. It is prohibited to cut food to specific dimensions for purposes other than eating. For example, it is prohibited to cut a piece of bread to plug up a hole in a vessel. It is prohibited to sharpen a pencil or toothpick.
Work Category 32, Writing The Biblical prohibition of writing includes all activity by which writing is done with a durable marker on a durable surface. Some examples of durable markers are, ink, crayon, pencil, pen, typing, printing, etc. Some examples of durable surfaces are, parchment, paper, wood, stone, flesh, cloth, etc. Writing that uses figures or letters from any alphabet is prohibited. Cutting shapes of letters is also prohibited. The Sages also prohibited writing with non-durable markers on non-durable surfaces. It is therefore prohibited to draw letters with a finger on a moist pane of glass, or on a dusty table top, or on sand. Writing on a computer monitor or causing letters to appear on a monitor is forbidden. Therefore, it is forbidden to change the window of a digital watch or monitor. Micro writing where the writing is not discernable to the unaided eye, and writing with invisible ink that is visible only under a special light, is Rabbinically prohibited. It is permitted to make the motion of writing with a finger in the air or on a dry clean hard surface, such as a board or table top. It is prohibited to fasten alphabet letters or numbers to an object by a permanent means. For example, it is prohibited to take two letters and sew them on a garment where they are read as a word. It is, however, permitted to take alphabet letters or numbers and place them side by side without fastening them together. This is not considered writing. Therefore, Scrabble would not be considered writing. (However, read further in this chapter concerning another prohibition which is relevant to Scrabble). The Sages prohibited the following which usually involve writing since they feared that one may forget and write on Shabbos. 1. Discuss business transactions, such as, buying, selling, hiring, or renting. (There are, however. some circumstances where it is permitted to do these things. Therefore, consult a competent Rabbi). 2. Measuring either by hand, ruler, scale, etc. 3. Marrying or divorcing. 4. Redeeming a first-born. 5. Convening a court for a hearing or sentencing. 6. Betting, playing a lottery or dice. 7. Playing games which usually entail writing. (For example, games that usually entail writing down the scores or money amounts, Scrabble may be included in this prohibition.) It is permitted to use a non-digital thermometer to measure fever on Shabbos. Work Category 33, Erasing מוחק The prohibition of erasing includes all activity which produces a clean surface for writing. To transgress the Biblical prohibition one must erase a surface with the intention to write on it. The Sages, however, prohibit erasing even without the intention to write. One should not remove wax or glue which fell on printed matter because words will be erased. It is permitted for eating purposes to break by hand or mouth cookies or any food which have words stamped on them or written on them with icing, even though the words are being erased. If the words on the food are written with ink or paint and not with an icing, one may break the words through eating them, but not by hand. It is permissible to open a book which has words printed on its side even though the act of opening "erases." This permission is granted only if the book is needed and no other copy is available. One should be careful when opening packages or seals not to cut where there are words. But if there is no other way to open it, then it is permissible to open the package by cutting a word in an unusual way, by using the opposite hand that he would normally use. For example, a "righty" should use his left hand.
Work Category 34,
Constructing The prohibition of Constructing includes all activity which forms or creates a structure. This work category may be divided into five subcategories: (1) Building - This prohibition includes all activity of building and erecting structures attached to the ground or improving such existing structures. The Biblical prohibition includes any degree or kind of permanent construction. The Rabbinical prohibition includes temporary construction and improvements. Some examples of this prohibition are: A) Building a wall of earth, wood, stone, etc. B) Adding stones or brick to an existing wall (even without cement) C) Plastering and cementing walls D) Making holes for light or ventilation E) Hanging a door either by screwing the hinges into the posts or even by putting back the pin of the hinges F) Inserting a window frame into the wall or a pane of glass into the frame. The Sages prohibited constructing temporary walls which make permissible something which would otherwise be invalid or prohibited under Jewish Law. Therefore, it is prohibited to erect on Shabbos a curtain as a third wall of a succah because a succah is invalid without a third wall. It is prohibited to erect a "temporary wall" to separate private from public property to enable one to carry. A temporary wall is defined as at least a curtain tied on top and bottom so that it will not be blown open in an ordinary breeze. (if it will be blown open in an ordinary breeze it is not considered a wall). It is permitted to open a temporary wall which was already open at least a tefach (3.28 inches = 8.34 cm) before Shabbos. Therefore, one is permitted to extend a folding screen wall an Shabbos if it was already open a tefach or more. (2) Erecting a Shelter - The Biblical prohibition forbids erecting a permanent structure with at least three walls, while the Sages prohibited a temporary roof even without walls, Therefore, it is prohibited to open an umbrella or awning. However, if the awning was open at least a tefach before Shabbos it may be extended to be opened completely on Shabbos. A carriage top may be opened and closed (because it is fastened to the carriage and is considered like a door). (3) Structuring Earth - This prohibition includes all activity by which a hole is made in earth, or the ground is leveled. Some examples of this prohibition are: A) Making a drainage hole or ditch B) Making a hole in the earth to hide money C) Leveling an earthen floor. The Sages prohibited making a hole in the ground on Shabbos even if no use is intended for it. They also prohibited actions which may lead inadvertently to leveling ground. It is therefore prohibited to sweep earthen floors or to play marbles or nuts on earthen ground. (One, however, does not have to stop children from playing marbles or nuts on earthen ground.) (4) Making a Utensil - This prohibition refers to making a complete utensil. To do the finishing touch to complete a vessel is prohibited under work category 36 - Finishing a Utensil. One should consult a competent Rabbi regarding opening cans on Shabbos. Some examples of this prohibition are:
A) Manufacturing a mechanical watch. B) Manufacturing an electrical or fuel powered motor. C) Turning on a battery powered watch. D) Plugging the cord of an electric clock into the wall outlet to start it going. E) Creating a magnet out of a piece of material that is not an implement.
(5) Combining Pieces Some examples of this prohibition are: A) Nailing boards together B) Churning milk to manufacture cheese C) Pressing figs or dates together into a single unit The Sages prohibited braiding hair or undoing braided hair on Shabbos because of its similarity to Constructing and Demolishing (work category 35 - Demolishing.) next | previous | table of contents
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