Items used
for purposes that are forbidden to do on Shabbos, and one is very particular
about using them for anything but their intended purpose due to their value, are
in the category of chisaron kis. See later for some examples.
This
category also includes a shechita knife. Besides being an expensive
knife, a shochet is extremely careful that his knife does not get nicked
or dented. He therefore places it in a secure place out of harm’s way.
The
halacha is that one may not use an item which is muktze machmas
chisaron kis for any other use, nor move it from a space one needs
that it is occupying. The halachic terminology for this is l’tsorech
gufo um’komo.
One is
therefore forbidden to use a shechita knife to slice a tomato,
because this category of muktze is totally forbidden to use or move on
Shabbos.
What if I change my mind on Shabbos and from now on
want to use the shechita knife as a regular kitchen knife?
The
Mishna Berura
quotes
the Magen Avraham saying that even if the k’li broke on Shabbos,
thereby causing the owner of the k’li to set it aside for another use,
since it was muktze when Shabbos came in, it remains muktze for
the duration of Shabbos. Therefore, even if one changed his mind and wants to
use the k’li from now on for a use that would not render it muktze,
he may do so for the next Shabbos, but as far as this Shabbos is concerned, the
k’li remains muktze.
Can you provide examples of muktze chisaron kis?
An
expensive camera, because one allocates a safe place for it when not in use
and one does not usually permit small children to handle it. An inexpensive
camera would not be chisaron kis. It is muktze but of a different
category.
An ipod
is chisaron kis, because of the reasons above.
A mohel's
knife is also chisaron kis.
Expensive
writing paper and envelopes, parchment and stamps
are
chisaron kis.
Stamps can be inexpensive so why are they considered
chisaron kis?
One would
not do anything with stamps other than stick them onto an envelope, even if they
do not cost much. Using a stamp for anything else is throwing away money and
people store them in a safe place.
What is the status of a wall picture?
Expensive
art is
chisaron kis because one is very careful not to handle it unnecessarily.
Consequently if it is hanging crooked it may not be straightened on Shabbos.
Ordinary art is not muktze. The Chazon Ish learns that items
attached or hanging from walls (and are not removed on a regular basis) are
muktze because they become part of the fixture.
Is one permitted to move a heavy
cupboard on Shabbos?
Is the sign “v’tein tal umatar”
muktze on Shabbos?
Even
though items that are set aside for safekeeping are considered chisaron kis,
this would not apply to a “v’tein tal umatar livrachah” sign. This is
because this particular notice is not put there for safekeeping, but rather to
enable everyone to see it. Therefore, the sign may be changed on the first day
of Pesach.
It is not
a matter of "writing" either.
What is the halacha with regards to handling passports,
bus tickets etc?
Precious
and important documents are chisaron kis because one is careful not to do
anything with them other than what they are intended for. It is possible that a
"kartisiya" (a bus ticket with 10 or 20 rides and a number is punched at
each ride) is chisaron kis because using it for other purposes might
destroy it and render it useless.
On the
other hand people use a kartisiya as a bookmark, so perhaps it is only
k'li she'mlachto l'issur (and a rav should be asked), which we will learn
about be"H next.
