Shabbat: G, H and I - (Garbage, Heating, Insects and More)

Richard B. Aiken

GARBAGE

Dumping the Garbage

You may dump garbage from inside a house on Shabbat if the garbage smells bad (as long as the outside garbage can is within an eruv or an enclosed property that is adjacent to the house).

GLASSES

Sunglasses

You may use photosensitive glasses (such as photogray) on Shabbat.

Eye Glasses

You may wash reading glasses or sunglasses using liquid soap on Shabbat.

HAIR/BEARDS

Hair Brushing

You may brush your hair on Shabbat but only if the brush bristles bend easily. You may not use stiff bristles since they might pull out some hair. Using a special brush for Shabbat is recommended but not required.

NOTE: You may not use a comb.

Hair Cuts/Shaving

You may not have your hair cut and you may not shave on Shabbat (and Jewish festivals).

HEATING AND COOLING

Adjusting Temperature Controls

On Shabbat, you may not adjust temperature controls.

Adjusting Air Conditioning Vents

You may adjust air conditioning vents on Shabbat as long as you adjust them manually and not electronically.

Moving a Fan

You may pick up and move a fan on Shabbat (even if it is operating) if you need it elsewhere but you may not plug it in or unplug it on Shabbat.

Moving Electric Heater

You may pick up and move an electric heater on Shabbat (and Jewish festivals) if it is:

Off, in order to use the space where it is.

On, in order to use the space where it is OR if you need the heat elsewhere.

NOTE: You may not unplug the heater if it is on. You may unplug it if it is off, but only in order to move it.

Moving Flame Heater

On Shabbat, you may not move a kerosene or other heater that has a flame.

Using Electrical Devices for Non-Electrical Purposes

You may use an electric radiator or other electrical appliances for purposes other than their intended purposes on Shabbat as long as the appliances are not expensive.

EXAMPLE: You may use an electric fan or radiator to prop open a window.

Water Heater above 120° F

On Shabbat, you may not use water from any type of water heater, including solar heaters, if the water in the tank (or reservoir) is above 120° F (49 C).

Water Heater below 120° F

If you keep your water heater permanently set to less than 120° F (49° C) and if you turn off the heater before Shabbat, you may use that hot water on Shabbat. But you may not lower the setting just before Shabbat and then use hot water from that heater, since the water in the tank will still be hotter than 120° F for many hours (or even a day or more) after lowering the heater temperature.

NOTE: If you will be using a large volume of hot water during Shabbat, consult a rabbi since the heating element might inevitably be turned on and that would be forbidden on Shabbat.

INSECTS

Insects that May Carry Diseases

You may kill mosquitoes and other insects on Shabbat if they carry deadly diseases (which makes the insects a danger, or sakana). You may kill insects that might carry deadly diseases even if you do not know for certain that they do.

Biting or Stinging Insects

You may trap insects on Shabbat that may hurt you, such as mosquitoes (without diseases) or bees that might sting you. You may also trap them or chase them away with bug spray. You may not trap insects that just annoy you, such as gnats or flies.

Copyright 2015 Richard B. Aiken. Halacha L’Maaseh appears courtesy of www.practicalhalacha.com Visit their web site for more information.