Halachah 1 — Weaving Utensils
Most weaving tools follow the rules of utensils used for forbidden purposes (kli shemelachto l’issur), so they may be moved for use or place.
Exception:
- Large fixed beams and pillars (embedded in ground) → forbidden to move, since they resemble attached structures.
Halachah 2 — Brooms and Bricks
- Brooms → considered permitted-use utensils
- Loose bricks → permitted (they’re usable for sitting)
BUT:
- If bricks are collected (set aside for building) → become muktzeh
Halachah 3 — Shards and Broken Objects
- Small shards → permitted (they can still serve simple functions)
- Broken stopper pieces → permitted
BUT:
- If thrown away before Shabbat → become muktzeh
- Cannot deliberately break utensils to create usable pieces on Shabbat
Halachah 4 — Stones for Personal Hygiene
Special leniency:
- Stones for cleaning oneself → permitted to carry
- Size limit: approximately a handful
Reason: → human dignity overrides normal muktzeh concerns
Halachah 5 — Choosing Materials
Preference:
- Use softer, safer materials first
- Avoid ones that may harm
Shows balance between practicality and dignity.
Halachah 6 — Tattered Items
- Torn mats → still usable → permitted
- Tiny unusable cloths → forbidden
Rule: → must still have practical utility
Halachah 7 — Ladders and Implements
- Household ladder → muktzeh
- Dovecote ladder → semi-permitted (restricted use)
Certain tools:
- olive-harvesting rod → forbidden-use utensil
- door-opening rod → permitted-use utensil
Halachah 8–10 — Doors and Bolts
A door or bolt must clearly be a “utensil”:
- Attached or identifiable → permitted
- Loose beam-like object → forbidden
Key idea: → must look and function like a proper tool
Halachah 11 — Multi-Part Objects
Example:
- multi-piece candelabrum → forbidden to move
Reason: → might come apart and be repaired
Heavier objects:
- sometimes restricted simply due to impractical movement
Halachah 12 — Valuable or Sensitive Objects
Forbidden:
- professional or fragile items (loss-sensitive)
Examples:
- wool bundles
- special tools
BUT:
- if designated for use → permitted
Halachah 13 — Filth and Repulsive Items
Permitted:
- removal of waste in inhabited areas
Reason: → “graf shel re‘i” rule (human dignity)
However:
- not allowed to create such situations intentionally
Halachah 14 — Food Is Generally Not Muktzeh
General rule:
- all food → always usable → not muktzeh
Exception:
- drying figs/raisins → temporarily inedible → muktzeh
Also:
- leftover oil from lamp → muktzeh (because tied to forbidden action)
Halachah 15 — Storehouses
Permitted:
- taking food
Forbidden:
- emptying entire storage (unless mitzvah need)
Halachah 16–17 — Animal Food Rules
Permitted:
- anything usable for commonly available animals
Forbidden:
- items only usable for rare animals
- items not edible at all
Halachah 18 — Bundles and Preparation
Bundles:
- prepared as fodder → permitted
- unprepared → muktzeh
Preparation before Shabbat changes status.
Halachah 19 — Feeding Animals Carefully
Forbidden:
- actions that resemble fixing ground or mixing food improperly
Examples:
- leveling feed → not allowed
Halachah 20 — Handling a Corpse (Kevod HaMet)
Generally:
- a corpse → muktzeh
BUT:
- certain indirect actions permitted:
- cooling it
- preserving dignity
Halachah 21 — Moving a Corpse Indirectly
Permitted method:
- place bread or baby → then move
Reason: → indirect movement (tiltul min hatzad)
Exception:
- in emergencies (fire) → may move directly
Halachah 22 — Covering a Corpse
Creative method allowed:
- building shade indirectly
- without directly forming a structure
Halachah 23 — Human Dignity Overrides
If decomposition causes shame:
→ corpse may be moved even to a carmelit