KollelBoker: What do I do if my glasses broke on Shabbos?

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Vol. 1 Iss. 26

פרשת בהר

Dvar Torah

By: Rabbi Goldman

The first Mishna in פרקי אבות brings down the concept of עשו סיג לתורה - make a fence for the Torah. The Mishna is teaching us that there are two types of restrictions; ones that were commanded by Hashem, and the ones we must make for ourselves.

The concept of creating our own restrictions must be understood; because if the Torah did not say that it is prohibited, why would we restrict ourselves from it? The Mishna describes these restrictions in the context of being a fence around the Torah. The fence represents a protection for the Torah. This tells us that the prohibitions that we create are not prohibited because there is something wrong with that action. Rather, they are acts that are prohibited for the purpose of protecting us from not coming to transgress the actual עבירה itself.

Rabbenu Yona explains that we may have the capacity to refrain from doing the עבירה even if we don't take this extra precaution. However, there are many times that we may face certain challenges that are difficult to pass, had we avoided the situation initially then we would be more likely to pass the challenge. If it is important to us not to do the עבירה then it is likely that we wouldn't rely on our ability to avoid the עבירה because we know that we are vulnerable and we may fail. Instead, we would make sure to avoid the situation entirely and increase our chances of passing. On the other hand if. by taking on these restrictions, we lose sight of our ultimate goal and become distracted from focusing on the עבירה then these "fences" are counterproductive. We always have to weigh our actions against what the outcome will be, with a focus on what Hashem wants from us. Knowing this will help us make the right decisions in life. Have a great Shabbos!

Dvar Halacha

By: R' Chananya Berman

Question: The screw popped out of my glasses, what do I do?

Discussion: The halacha is that if an object breaks on Shabbos under certain conditions it becomes Muktzah (Shulchan Aruch 308:6,16). We will try to clarify the different scenarios that could happen.

If the screw pops out

The first situation we will discuss is the screw pops out and the lens does not stay in place. In this situation the glasses would become mukztah and you would not be allowed to use or move them. The reason is Chazal were concerned that you will replace the screw which is prohibited to do on Shabbos. If the screw is lost and it's not possible to replace it on Shabbos then the glasses would not become muktzah.

Similarly if one dose not have a screwdriver that size, the glasses would not be muktzah. Furthermore, one would be permitted to fix them in a temporary fashion. However, if it is common for people to have these screws or screwdrivers in their homes, then even if one lost the screw he would not be able to use the glasses.

If the lens pops out or the temple gets disconnected

If the lens pops out and one can put it back in a temporary way then he would be allowed to do this on Shabbos. However, if the only way to put it back is to screw it back it then one would not be allowed to do this on Shabbos and the glasses would become muktzah. If one temple was disconnected then the glasses are not muktzah because one can use the glasses with only one temple (אז נדברו ח"ח סל"ג). If both temples become disconnected then all of the pieces would become muktzah unless one can fix them in a temporary way. A rav should be consulted whether they can be worn outside without a eruv. Additionally,a rav should be consulted as to what is considered temporary. However, if the temple snaps in half then the temple would be muktzah because it has no use on Shabbos.

If the frame itself is broken then all the pieces are muktzah because it has no use for Shabbos.

For all practical questions please ask your Rav.

Food For Thought

According to the opinion that says the entire sefira is one long mitzvah, why do we make a bracha every night? We should either make one bracha on the first night as we are about to begin this mitzva or we should make one bracha on the last night when we are sure that we will finish the mitzvah?

Gemara Shiur 30 Min before Shacharis, given by Rabbi Goldman.

Halacha Shiur preceding maariv at Ahavas Yisroel 9:00-9:30 Monday and Thursday, given by R' Chananya Berman.

For any comments or suggestion please email Kollelboker@hotmail.com or speak to Rabbi Goldman

These times are for NYC only

For times out of NYC please click Myzmanim.com

Shabbos zimanim are:

Candle lighting 7:45

Sh'kea 8:03

Sof Zman Kriyas shma 9:15

Mogen Avroham 8:39