Halachah 1 — Making and Opening Holes
Creating a functional opening (serving as both inlet and outlet) is considered completing an object (makeh b’patish). Therefore, the Sages broadly prohibited making any hole, even a simple one, to prevent someone from creating a full constructive opening.
Applications:
- Forbidden: making or widening a hole in a barrel
- Permitted: reopening an already existing hole that had been plugged
- Exception: holes below sediment (wine dregs) are treated as permanent → forbidden
Halachah 2 — Breaking Containers
Permitted:
- Breaking a barrel to access food (if not forming a utensil)
- Cutting open a cask in a dramatic way (e.g., for guests)
Forbidden:
- Creating a neat side-opening → resembles making a utensil
Intent is decisive:
- Using → permitted
- Creating a new functional object → forbidden
Halachah 3 — Closing Holes
Closing holes is also restricted:
- Forbidden: plugging a barrel (even with wood/stone)
- Permitted: placing food in a way that incidentally blocks the opening
Again, indirect or disguised action is allowed if not done as a formal repair.
Halachah 4 — Musical Activity
Making or producing music is forbidden:
- playing instruments
- rhythmic tapping, clapping, shaking rattles
Reason:
→ lest one repair a musical instrument (finalizing an object)
Halachah 5 — Clapping, Dancing, Swimming
Forbidden:
- clapping, dancing → (same decree as music)
- swimming → lest one make a flotation device
Permitted:
- unusual clapping (back of hand)
- swimming in enclosed pool (distinct from open waters)
Halachah 6 — Making Utensils (Minor Acts)
Forbidden actions that resemble crafting:
- cutting reeds
- breaking shards or paper
- creating a spout with leaves
Permitted:
- using pre-cut materials
- breaking only when no utensil is intended
Halachah 7 — Drawing Water & Polishing Utensils
Forbidden:
- drawing with a loose branch → might cut/shape it
- polishing silver with specialized materials → resembles craftsmanship
Permitted:
- polishing with simple substances
- washing dishes only if needed for same Shabbat
Halachah 8 — Immersing Utensils
Forbidden:
- immersing vessels → resembles fixing/improving them
Permitted:
- a person immersing themselves (appears like bathing)
- immersing water itself (in a non-impurity vessel)
Unintentional immersion → usable
Intentional violation → cannot use until after Shabbat
Halachah 9 — Separation of Tithes
Forbidden:
- separating terumah or tithes
Reason:
- resembles “fixing” produce to become permitted
Halachah 10 — Oiling Leather
Applying oil to new leather softens it → resembles processing leather → forbidden.
Permitted:
- small incidental oil amounts
- applying oil to body and then wearing items
Old leather → permitted
Halachah 11 — Smoothing (Spreading Substances)
Spreading materials like wax, fat, or plaster is forbidden → resembles smoothing hides.
Halachah 12–13 — Business and Writing
Forbidden:
- loans and repayments
- buying and selling
- hiring workers
- weighing, counting, measuring
Reason: → lest one write
Permitted:
- informal borrowing/lending without formal language
Halachah 14–15 — Legal and Property Actions
Forbidden:
- court proceedings
- marriage acts (kiddushin)
- consecrating property
- evaluating possessions
Because:
- resembles commerce or writing
Exception:
- mitzvah-related consecration (e.g., sacrifices)
Even if done: → actions are still valid (but improper)
Halachah 16 — Giving Tithes on Shabbat
Portions already designated before Shabbat:
- should not be formally handed over
But:
- recipients present → may partake
Halachah 17 — Gambling and Lotteries
Forbidden:
- dice, lotteries → resemble commerce
Permitted:
- family distribution (no disputes expected)
Halachah 18 — Calculations
Forbidden:
- practical financial calculations
Permitted:
- non-functional historical or casual calculations
Halachah 19 — Reading Documents
Forbidden:
- reading business or secular writings
Permitted:
- verbal lists
- engraved names (non-document form)
Also restricted:
- reading images/captions
- even Torah reading at certain times → to ensure study participation
Halachah 20–25 — Saving from Fire
To prevent panic leading to extinguishing:
Restrictions:
- cannot save everything
- only essentials:
- food for current Shabbat meals
- necessary utensils
- clothes worn
Special allowances:
- multiple garments worn at once
- inviting others to save for themselves
Important principle: → prevent emotional panic → prevent violation
Halachah 26–27 — Saving Sacred Texts
Permitted:
- saving sacred writings even without eruv
Condition:
- must be in Hebrew and proper script
Forbidden:
- texts in other languages or forms
- loose blank parchment
Exception:
- minimal sanctity threshold (85 letters or God’s name)
Halachah 28 — Carrying Cases and Containers
Sacred containers may be saved, even if containing money → because of their connection to holy items.