Q. We have discussed many aspects of shoveling snow. What about the shovel, isn’t it muktza?

A. If snow shoveling is permitted on Shabbos, a snow-shovel is certainly not muktza since it is a Kli SheMelachto L’Heter, a utensil whose primary function is for permitted usage on Shabbos. What if I only have a regular shovel available? Sefer Nishmas Shabbos (4:247) concludes that a regular shovel is considered a Kli SheMelachto L’Issur, a utensil whose primary purpose is for melacha, such as shoveling earth. This type of item can be moved on Shabbos if one needs the muktza item for a permissible use on Shabbos. Assuming there are leniencies in shoveling snow on Shabbos, one would be permitted to use a shovel for this purpose.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.