Muktzah
Encyclopedia
Muktza is a Hebrew word that means "separated", or "set aside." The generally accepted view regarding these items is that they may be touched though not moved during Shabbat
(the Jewish Sabbath) or Yom Tov (Jewish Holiday), some extend this prohibition to the actual handling of these items. Halakha defines various categories of objects or substances which are "set aside" on the Jewish Sabbath, as well as various permissible instances of moving these various Muktza items. For example, one may not handle money, rocks, twigs, etc. on Shabbat, as these items are "Muktza."
The consensus among the halachik authorities is that muktza is an issur d'rabbanan
, or a rabbinic prohibition, rather than a d'oreisa , or biblical prohibition.
The laws of Muktza can be divided into two distinct subjects:
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
(the Jewish Sabbath) or Yom Tov (Jewish Holiday), some extend this prohibition to the actual handling of these items. Halakha defines various categories of objects or substances which are "set aside" on the Jewish Sabbath, as well as various permissible instances of moving these various Muktza items. For example, one may not handle money, rocks, twigs, etc. on Shabbat, as these items are "Muktza."
The consensus among the halachik authorities is that muktza is an issur d'rabbanan
D'Oraita and D'Rabbanan
The Aramaic terms de-'oraita and de-rabbanan are used extensively in discussion and text relating to Jewish law. The former refers to halachic requirements that are biblically mandated, while the latter refers to halachic requirements that are rabbinically mandated...
, or a rabbinic prohibition, rather than a d'oreisa , or biblical prohibition.
The laws of Muktza can be divided into two distinct subjects:
- "Muktza", i.e. the conditions needed for something to become muktza, and the properties of the various categories thereof;
- "Tiltul", i.e. if an item is indeed determined to be Muktza, it must be determined when and how it may be moved.
General Concept of Muktza
Muktza is essentially a restriction on objects that were not 'prepared' before the Sabbath. The absence of preparedness in this sense means that the vast majority of people would not expect to use this particular item or substance on Shabbat.Categories
There are six main categories of muktza, each one with different halakhic ramifications:- Mechamat Chisaron Kis - Delicate Objects (e.g. musical instrument, camera, etc.)
- Basis- Object supporting a Muktzah item (e.g. the tray holding the Shabbat candles)
- Mechamat Gufo- Objects that are not utensils and have no ordinary Shabbat function (e.g. raw foods)
- Mechamat Isura- Objects whose use was prohibited because of Shabbat violations when Shabbat began remain muktzah all Shabbat (e.g. Shabbat candlesShabbat candlesShabbat candles are candles lit on Friday nights, 18 minutes before sunset, to usher in the Jewish Sabbath.Lighting Shabbat candles is a rabbinically mandated law. Candlelighting is traditionally done by the woman of the household, but in the absence of a woman, it may be done by man...
) - Kli Shemlachto L'isur - Objects designed specifically to perform work (e.g. a hammer)
- Mechamat Mitzvah - Objects used only to perform a mitzvahMitzvahThe primary meaning of the Hebrew word refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God...
(e.g. LulavLulavThe Lulav is a closed frond of the date palm tree. It is one of the arba'ah minim used in the morning prayer services during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot...
)