From the Rav’s Desk: 1) Wearing rain bonnet as belt; 2) raincoat with hood without Eiruv; 3) Making seltzer using SodaStream on Shabbos; 4) making a fan circulate on Shabbos 5) Attaching ladder on shabbos

1. Question: [Thursday, 25^th Mar Cheshvan, 5781]

With regard to rain bonnet wearing on Shabbos – is it permissible to wear the rain bonnet around your waste? As for example, when you go to Shul or anywhere else on Shabbos it is not raining but the sky is cloudy and it may start to rain at some point on your journey – and then you need your rain bonnet. There is no Eiruv in our area.

Answer:

As we discussed in a previous lesson, the wearing of a rain bonnet on Shabbos in an area without an Eiruv, is subject to debate amongst the Poskim with some permitting it and others forbidding it, as we discussed at length. So at the very least, even wearing it over the head on Shabbos while it is raining would be subject to debate. Even if one were to determine that this is permitted, tying it around your waist to use as a belt in order to carry it just in case it rains, enters into a further doubt and debate of whether this is allowed. Even if one were to wear it as one’s only belt [as one cannot wear a belt on top of another belt in an area without an Eiruv] over a clothing that needs a belt, it would still be subject to the question as to whether this is considered a normal use of the clothing, and if it appears to the onlooker as if one is simply wearing a belt or as simply trying to carry. Regarding all these issues, in order not to be Poretz Gader from a possible custom that is already established in your community regarding this matter, I would suggest that you discuss it with the local Rav and follow his directives. To note however that in general the custom of the world is to be lenient to use towels as belts in order to be allowed to carry it and thus technically the same would apply to a rain bonnet.

Sources: Re: wearing a rain cover over one’s head on Shabbos see: https://shulchanaruchharav.com/halacha/plastic-hat-rain-cover-on-a-hat-on-shabbos/

regarding whether one may use an item as a belt in order to be allowed to carry it: See Maharshag 2:48; Piskeiy Teshuvos 301 footnote 295

2. Question: [Thursday, 25^th Mar Cheshvan, 5781]

Is it permitted for one to wear outside in an area without an Eiruv a raincoat or sweater with a hood if one does not plan on wearing the hood unless it starts raining or gets cold? Meaning is the hood that is hanging behind the jacket or sweater considered an item that one is carrying which is forbidden or is it considered part of the general clothing which one is permitted to wear and does not have a carry prohibition?

Answer:

All parts of a clothing that are permanently attached to it, or are attached to it in a way that it is not common at all to take off, with the exception of a necessary occasion, are considered part of the clothing and do not have a carrying prohibition applicable to them neither biblical nor rabbinical. We do not suspect that one may come to take it off and carry it as it is not common to do so

Sources: See Chayeh Adam 56:15 Nishmas Adam 4; Ketzos Hashulchan 115:20 footnote 36; Az Nidbaru 4:38; Beis Yosef end of 301; Piskeiy Teshuvos 301:31 footnotes 210 through 211

3. Question: [Thursday, 25^th Mar Cheshvan, 5781]

Hi. Is it permitted on Shabbos to make seltzer using Soda-Stream with the non-electric model?

Answer:

While this matter is under debate amongst the Poskim with some claiming that it transgresses the rabbinical Nolad prohibition, as well as other possible prohibitions [i.e. Tikkun Keli] especially if one needs to assemble the cylinder to it on Shabbos. Practically, the vast majority of Poskim rule that is permitted to be used on Shabbos to make soda water and many even permit attaching the  cylinder to it on Shabbos [being that it is made for constant entrance and removal and is thus similar to the cover of a bottle]. Nonetheless, I would suggest that the best thing is to make it before Shabbos and certainly not to attach the cylinder on Shabbos. Although if the cylinder is already attached and one forgot to make the soda water before Shabbos than he may be lenient to make it on Shabbos, and those who even attach a new cylinder to it on Shabbos have upon whom to rely, although those who are stringent not to attach a new cylinder and not to even make soda water on Shabbos, are blessed.

Sources: See Ketzos Hashulchan 130 footnote 12 and 146 footnote 32; Minchas Yitzchak 4:122 although it is best to do so from before Shabbos [9:33]; SSH”K 11:35 in name of Rav SZ”A; Yabia Omer 3:21 who also permits the attaching of the cylinder; See Maharsham 3:140; 6:33; Bris Olam Ofeh 91; Chelkas Yaakov 3:168; Tzitz Eliezer 7:24; 20:13; See list of all Poskim who are stringent and lenient in Piskeiy Teshuvos 320:15 footnote 163 and 313 footnote 99 regarding attaching the cylinder

4. Question: [Thursday, 25^th Mar Cheshvan, 5781]

Is it permitted for one to press the button to make a fan circulate on Shabbos or to pull it up to stop it from circulating? I am referring to pressing or pulling the mechanical piece that sits on the head of the fan, as obviously a digital button is forbidden to be pressed to make it circulate.

Answer:

It is permitted to do so on Shabbos although some are stringent.

The reason: There is no Muktzah prohibition involved in doing so being that a fan is considered a KSLI of which its law is that it may be moved for a permitted purpose. The only question applicable is if doing so changes the flow of electricity and is thereby prohibited due to this. On this latter question the Poskim conclude that it is permitted even if it were to be determined that there is some change of electricity as a result, as changing the level of electricity does not contain any clear prohibition. Nonetheless some are stringent in this.

Sources: See Shulchan Shlomo 308 footnote 34; Maor Hashabbos 4:14 65; Piskeiy Teshuvos 277 footnote 37

5. Question: [Thursday, 25^th Mar Cheshvan, 5781]

Is opening a climbing scaffold allowed on Shabbos? One can fasten two bolts/screws with ones hand without needing a screwdriver or other tool. It needs to be fastened hard so that it doesn’t fall apart and we might forget to close it after Shabbat.

Answer:

The fact you can use your hands and tighten the screws and don’t need a screwdriver is completely irrelevant. The only way that it would be permitted on Shabbos to screw or unscrew it is if it is meant to not last even temporarily meaning not more than that days’ worth and at the very least not more than 48 hours. This would depend on how you use the item. Practically, what I would resolve in this case is that you do not do so unless the common way of you using this vessel during the week is in a way that the screws do not last for that day and you constantly put them in and out. If the latter is correct, then even if by mistake you forgot to remove the screws after Shabbos or one time during the week it doesn’t affect the allowance, as it nonetheless retains the status of being meant for constant opening and closing and not to last at all.

Sources: See Admur 313:14; 20-21; 259:7; Ketzos Hashulchan 119 note 12