16. May one lift up a child that has a Muktzah object in his hand?[1]

A. When the child has a stone in his hand:

One may lift his child in a private domain, [even if] there is a stone in [the child’s] hand, [as] this is not considered as if one is carrying the stone in his hand. [However] this only applies if it is impossible to [avoid lifting up the child without the stone[2]], such as for example if his child has a [strong] longing for [the parent to lift him up] and [thus] if he does not lift him up the child will get sick[3], [as in such a situation it is permitted to lift him up with the stone] as the [Sages] did not decree against moving [a Muktzah item] without using ones actual hands in a situation where there is danger of [it causing] illness.[4] As well [the situation here is discussing] that it is not possible to remove the stone out of the hands of the child, as [if he does so then the child] will scream and cry.[5]

If the child does not care to be lifted:[6] However if the child does not currently long [to be picked up] then it is forbidden to lift him [with the stone].

The reason for this prohibition:[7] It is not similar to other [cases] of moving a forbidden [Muktzah] object, which moves consequently through one moving in his hands a permitted [non-Muktzah] object that is with [the Muktzah object], in which the [Sages] permitted [to move in cases that] it is impossible to shake off the prohibited item from the permitted one, as was explained. [The reason that it is not similar is] because the [Sages] only permitted this [to be done] when one needs to use the permitted item, however here [in a case that child does not long to be lifted it is forbidden to lift him up with the stone as] it is not considered such a necessity to lift up the child when the child is not longing to be lifted.

B. When the child has money in his hand:[8]

Even in a case that the child longs for his parent, it was only permitted [to lift him up when he is] with a stone. However, if he has a coin in his hand it is forbidden even to hold him by the hand while he [the child] is walking in a private domain.[9]

The reason for this is: due to a decree that perhaps the coin will fall from the child’s hand and the father will forget [that it is Shabbos] and pick it up, which ends up that he has moved [a] Muktzah [item in] a completely[10] [forbidden form of] moving, and [by a case that one may come to] completely move [something Muktzah], [the Sages] suspected [for this] and decreed [against lifting up the child], even in a situation that there is a danger of [it causing] illness, being that his life is not in danger if he is not lifted up[11].

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[1] Admur 309:1; Michaber 309:1; Mishneh Shabbos 141b

^[2] Lit. “In any other fashion”

[3] Admur ibid; Michaber ibid

[4] Admur ibid; M”A 309:1; M”B 309:2

[5] Admur ibid; M”A 309:1; M”B 309:2

[6] Admur ibid; Michaber ibid

[7] Admur ibid; based on Tosafus ibid; However the M”B 309:2 explains this is considered as if he is holding the Mukztah in his hand, Vetzaruch Iyun why!

[8] Admur 309:2; Michaber 309:1

[9] Admur ibid; 1^st opinion in Michaber ibid; Bach 309

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule it is permitted to hold the hands of the child and only lifting up the child is forbidden. [Ran in name of Ramban; 2^nd opinion in Michaber ibid; Elya Raba brought in Biur Halacha 309:1 “Veyeish Omrim”]

^[10] Meaning a direct moving with one’s hands as opposed to indirect moving, through lifting up the child.

^[11] Meaning that the illness is not life threatening.

^[12] Admur 309:1

^[13] Admur 309:2

[14] M”B 309:2