Throwing out trash on Shabbat

Hi,

Items which are not useful are muktzeh on Shabbat, and may not be handled. However, where there is a pile of trash in a room, such that one who wanted to sit in the room would be repelled by its presence, one may throw it out.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:232:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Moving a trash can on Shabbos

Hi,

[Note: This topic is subject to some debate; please consult your Rabbi for practical guidance.]

An empty trash can may be brought back from the curb on Shabbat, whether because it is needed for depositing more trash or because of concern that it might be stolen. This is because the can is made of non-absorbent materials that are easily cleaned.

This assumes that a valid eruv is in place.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:222:19)

חג אורים שמח,
Mordechai

The kitchen compost bin, part 2

Hi,

May I empty a kitchen compost bin on Shabbos in order to make room for more material?

In Thursday's post, we noted that such a bin is muktzeh if it contains only material that is not usable for people or animals. Further, we noted that although our bins tend to include edible items, we lock them to keep them from animals, and so they are not considered "food for animals".

There is some debate as to whether one may empty such a bin on Shabbos in order to make room for more material. Significant authorities permit, particularly where the alternative would be to turn a non-compost bin into a compost bin for that day.

(Magen Avraham 308:59; Chazon Ish Moed 48:10; Shemirat Shabbat k'Hilchatah 22:45 and footnote 116; Asifas Chachamim I pg. 133-135; Or Yisrael 41 pg. 99; Orchos Shabbos 19:340 and footnote 505)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

The kitchen compost bin, Part 1

Hi,

[Preface for non-Ontarians: In Ontario, households keep a small "compost bin" in their kitchens. Food waste is put in the bin, and collected from the curb weekly.]

Is a kitchen compost bin muktzeh?

Items which have no use on Shabbat are muktzeh, and this includes meal residue which is not usable as food for people or animals. A receptacle which holds only such items is muktzeh as well.

Kitchen compost bins tend to hold items which are edible for common animals. However, most of us do not feed animals out of our compost bins; indeed, we lock our bins when they are outside, to prevent animals from eating the food. Therefore, the bins are muktzeh. [The leniency of graf shel re'i is hard to apply, because a covered compost bin does not disturb use of the kitchen.]

People who wish to move their compost bin on Shabbos should first place a usable item, like a towel, atop the bin, so that it holds usable items as well as muktzeh items. If the bin holds compost when Shabbos starts, then the usable item must be on it from before Shabbos as well.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 308:27-30, 310:8; Chatam Sofer on Magen Avraham 308:51; Mishneh Berurah 308:116, 119; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 308:55; Piskei Teshuvos 308:22; Mishneh Halachos 5:49; Az Nidbiru 7:51)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Removing inedible items from the table on Shabbat

Hi,

Inedible remains from one's meal are muktzeh on Shabbat, because they are useless. Where they are repellent and so their presence prevents desired use of the room, one may remove them; this is the leniency of "graf shel re'i". However, it would be better to remove them by using an implement to brush them away.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 5:22:13)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Handling graf shel re'i on Shabbos

Hi,

We are permitted to remove an otherwise-muktzeh item from a room we are using, if the item is disgusting and its repellence would keep us from using the space. However, because the item is muktzeh, it would be ideal to have someone who is not Jewish do the removal.

One should not ask a minor to remove it, lest he grow up thinking that the removal is entirely permissible.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 5:21:9)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Evaluating graf shel re'i

Hi,

We permit moving muktzeh items from their location on Shabbat if they are repellent, they are located in a site one wishes to inhabit, and they are preventing use of that space. Such items are called "graf shel re'i".

The evaluation of "repellent" depends upon the condition of the item, as well as the sensitivities of the person who wishes to inhabit the space.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 5:21:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai