Daf HaYomi B'Halacha Daily Email

Moving ladders on Yom Tov

A ladder that is designed for forbidden labor (e.g. a tall ladder used for climbing to the top of a roof) is muktzeh and may not be moved on Shabbos or Yom Tov. Such a ladder may not even be moved letzorech gufo u’mekomo--for its own sake or to access its place. Smaller ladders which are meant for permissible activities may be moved for any purpose. Ladders that are used for both permissible and forbidden activities may be moved, but not in a reshus harabim.

שו"ע תקיח, ה, משנ"ב כז-כט, ושעה"צ מא; וראה שו"ע שח, יט

Moving waste on Yom Tov

Waste is considered muktzeh and may not be moved. If, however, the waste is causing discomfort to the people in its environment, it may be moved out of its place. This concept is known as graf shel rei . Graf shel rei only applies if people plan on remaining in the same area as the waste. If they plan to leave the area, the waste may not be moved. These halachos apply on both Shabbos and Yom Tov.

39-40שו"ע תקיח, ה, ומשנ"ב ל; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו

Moving a dead animal on Yom Tov

An animal that dies without shechitah is a neveilah and may not be eaten. It may be fed to other animals, however. If the animal dies on Yom Tov, its status with regard to muktzeh is as follows: If it was deathly ill on Erev Yom Tov and died on Yom Tov , it is not muktzeh and may be moved on Yom Tov . If it was healthy and its death was unexpected, it is muktzeh and may not be moved. If the animal was not gravely ill, the poskim disagree about whether it becomes muktzeh .

שו"ע תקיח, ו, משנ"ב לג, וביה"ל ד"ה אף

A piece of wood that is suitable for firewood may also be used as a spit for roasting meat. After the meat is roasted and the wood is not destined to be used again as a spit or as firewood, it is considered muktzeh and may not be moved. There is, however, a general dispensation which allows one to move a muktzeh object that could potentially cause harm.

Muktzeh items may be moved on Yom Tov for the sake of ochel nefesh. For example, if there are stones placed on a stove, they may be removed in order to place down a pot of food. Likewise, a sukkah decoration (which is muktzeh) that falls onto the table may be removed to make room to eat.

Melachos that are permitted on Yom Tov may only be done for Jews. Therefore, it is forbidden to carry an item for a non-Jew outside of an eiruv. It is likewise forbidden to ask another non-Jew to carry the item on his behalf.

Demolishing a building

Removing wood from a shack

Using wood from a fallen shack

PLEASE NOTE: The information in this email is for learning purposes only. Please review the Mishna Berura and Biurim U'Musafim before making a halachic decision. Hebrew words are occasionally transliterated to enable a smoother reading of the text. Common Ashkenazi pronunciation is generally used in these cases.