Dose of Halacha

Question: Are our children allowed to play football in the back garden on Shabbos?   Answer: The Beis Yosef (OC 308) quotes opposing views as to whether one may play with a ball on Shabbos. The Shibolei Haleket (121) prohibits it as balls have no constructive use and are dirty. Tosafos (Beitza 12a), however, permits playing. Following this, he writes (Shulchan Aruch OC 308:45) that one mustn’t play with a ball on Shabbos or Yom Tov. The Rema, however, writes that the custom is to be lenient on this matter. The Rema adds (OC 518:1) that on Yom Tov one may even play with a ball in a reshus harabim. Thus, the Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 308:83) and Aruch Hashulchan (OC 308:70; 518:8) write that it is commonly accepted that one may play with balls on Shabbos. Nonetheless, the Taz (OC 518:2) and Magen Avraham (OC 518:4) write that while children can play, this is inappropriate for adults (See Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 16:1; 6). Likewise, the Mishna Berura (308:158; 518:9) write...

Question: Is one allowed to brush a carpeted floor on Shabbos? Answer: There is a machlokes in the Gemara (Shabbos 95a) as to whether sweeping a dirt floor on Shabbos is assur mideoraisa or miderabanan. While Rambam (Shabbos 21:3) and the Shulchan Aruch (OC 327:2) allow one to sweep a tiled or stoned floor, the Rema writes that the custom is not to. Nonetheless, the Aruch Hashulchan (OC 337:5) and Mishna Berura (337:9; Biur Halacha) explain that the Rema (and other rishonim ) forbade sweeping such floors as one may come to sweep dirt floors. As we don’t have dirt floors in our houses nowadays, one may sweep tiled floors. The Rema (OC 337:2) writes that one mustn’t use a hard brush on Shabbos if doing so means that some of its bristles will break (See Mishna Berura 337:14). The Shearim Metzuyanim Behalacha (80:68) an d R’ Yisroel Dovid Harfenes (Nishmas Shabbos 6:297) write that one may use a carpet sweeper ( Ewbank ) on Shabbos , providing that they don’t press down...

Question: Is there any issue with having a picnic in a nearby park on Shabbos within the eruv ? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 336:3) writes that one may walk normally on wet or dry grass on Shabbos as one isn’t intending to rip up the grass. One who eats in the garden must be careful not to wash their hands there as they will inevitably be watering the grass which is an issue of zorea, planting (Mishna Berura 336:26). The Rema adds that as it is so difficult not to spill any water while eating, it is commendable not to bring drinks out to the garden. The Mishna Berura (336:27) writes that some argue that there is less of a concern in someone else’s garden, as one isn’t bothered if the plants grow there or not ( peski reshei delo niche lei ).  Nonetheless, the Aruch Hashulchan (OC 336:27) writes that it is difficult to say that people aren’t bothered at all, and therefore urges people to be most vigilant, advising people not to hold meals there. Likewise, the Kaf Hachaim ...

Question: Can I take the bins out on Yom Tov to be emptied? Can I bring them back in when they have been emptied? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 308:35) writes that one is allowed to remove a chamber pot ( graf shel rei’i ) on Shabbos. Although rubbish is usually considered to be muktze, one may remove this due to its unpleasantness. Thus, R’ Yehoshua Neuwirth (Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 22:45) writes that one may empty an overflowing or smelly bin on Shabbos. There is no need to carry it out with a shinui (ibid n111). R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 5:21:2) adds that whether rubbish is considered to be graf shel rei’i or not depends how bothered a person is by the unsightly rubbish. Likewise, R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 1:232:2; 6:180) writes that as nowadays most people are bothered by overflowing bins, they can empty them on Shabbos. R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe 5:21:9) adds that while the Aruch Hashulchan (OC 308:60) writes that it is preferable for a non...