Dirshu Mishnah Berurah

This episode continues the laws of Shabbos focusing on returning stuffing to cushions and pillows, clarifying when repair is permitted and when creating something new is forbidden. We then explore the prohibition of gathering items on Shabbos, including evaporated salt and agricultural produce, and define when “gathering” constitutes a biblical violation versus a rabbinic concern. Practical exampl...

This episode examines the Shabbos prohibition of sewing, focusing on tightening loose threads and functional stitching. We discuss when pulling a thread to reconnect fabric constitutes a biblical violation, the role of knots versus multiple stitches, and cases where liability applies even without a knot. The shiur also clarifies rabbinic prohibitions, attaching items to garments, and the use of pi...

This episode continues the Mishnah Berurah’s detailed analysis of the laws of writing on Shabbat, expanding beyond the Shulchan Aruch’s brief treatment. It clarifies when writing two letters creates biblical liability, including cases where letters are written on separate surfaces that can be read together. The discussion covers writing in abnormal ways (left hand, foot, mouth), writing through an...

This episode explores the laws of writing and erasing on Shabbat, focusing on what creates biblical liability versus rabbinic prohibition. Writing is biblically prohibited only when a  lasting mark  is made with a  lasting substance  on a  lasting surface . Writing with liquids, ash, sand, or on surfaces where the mark won’t endure is rabbinically forbidden but not biblically liable. Making signs...

This episode continues the laws of 'shearing' and then erasing on Shabbat . Topics include removing warts, scabs, loose skin, and dry lips; when erasing ink, wax, or smudges creates biblical versus rabbinic liability; and how much erasure constitutes a violation. We explore practical cases such as wax or stains on books and Torah scrolls, erasing in order to rewrite, and intention-based li...

This episode continues the laws near the end of Hilchos Shabbos, focusing on activities related to hair, nails, and shearing that are prohibited on Shabbos as derivatives of the melacha of shearing. We cover cutting hair and nails by hand or with tools, the difference between rabbinic prohibition and biblical liability, and required minimum measures for liability. Practical cases include cutting n...

This episode continues the laws of Shabbos as they relate to water. We review why swimming and similar water activities are restricted, including moving floating objects or clearing water in rivers. The discussion then shifts to boats: when entering a boat is permitted, the difference between floating and grounded vessels, and why rafts are treated more strictly. We explore the key principle that...

This episode continues the laws of Shabbos as they intersect with transactions and legal acts. We cover why consecrations, valuations, gifts to the Temple, separating tithes, firstborn redemption, and issuing divorces are generally prohibited on Shabbos, since they resemble commerce or legal acquisition. The Mishnah Berurah clarifies when actions are valid after the fact, and the unique exception...

This episode explores the halachic limits of judicial and legal activity on Shabbos. We learn why courts do not judge cases, issue punishments, imprison offenders, or carry out penalties on Shabbos—rooted in concerns of writing, commerce, and preserving Shabbos as a day of rest even for the guilty. The discussion then turns to key exceptions, including urgent testimony (such as preventing a woman...

This episode concludes the laws of managing rainwater leaking into the home on Shabbos, including when collected water may be moved and when creating an unpleasant situation is prohibited. We then begin a new section covering common Shabbos activities: riding animals, swimming in pools and ponds, and the classic debate over clapping, dancing, and rhythmic movements. The discussion explains the ori...

This episode explores classic Mishnah Berurah discussions on sound and activity on Shabbos. Topics include mechanical clocks and musical chimes set before Shabbos, alarm clocks and alarms going off on Shabbos, winding watches and stopping alarms, and the distinction between fixing an item versus normal use. We also cover children’s toys, automatic and kinetic watches, clapping and making noise to...

This episode explores the halachic background of playing music on Shabbos, focusing on the original rabbinic decree against music due to concern over repairing instruments. We examine a historical leniency that allowed asking a non-Jew to play (and even repair) instruments for the sake of bringing joy to a bride and groom, based on the concept of a double rabbinic prohibition for a mitzvah. The Mi...

This episode continues the Mishnah Berurah’s discussion of sound production on Shabbos. We clarify the core rule: objects specifically designed to make sound are generally prohibited, even when the intent is not musical. Practical cases include door knockers, rings fixed to doors, bells, tuning forks, and similar sound-producing items. In contrast, making noise with one’s body (knocking with a fis...

This episode completes the laws of floor maintenance on Shabbat and opens the topic of sound-making prohibitions. We review why spreading oil or scrubbing floors is restricted—even on paved surfaces—due to concerns of leveling ground and related actions. The discussion extends to placing heavy barrels on the ground, the risk of creating furrows, and why lifting rather than dragging is required. Th...

This episode continues the laws of unintended consequences on Shabbos, focusing on sweeping floors and household cleaning. We explore whether sweeping an unpaved floor is permitted, given the concern that it may level the ground and resemble forbidden labor. The discussion contrasts lenient and stringent views, explains why paved floors are treated differently, and examines concerns of inevitabili...

This episode opens Siman 337 and explores the laws of unintended consequences on Shabbat. Using ploughing as the model case, it explains when an action is permitted if a prohibited result is not intended—and when it becomes forbidden if that result is inevitable. Practical cases include dragging furniture across dirt or grass, watering dusty floors, and ploughing via animals. The key distinction i...

In this episode, we finish the siman discussing plants and trees on Shabbos, beginning with the laws of dried fruits still attached to dried or living branches. Even when fruit appears detached for  tumah , halachically it is still considered attached for Shabbos regarding plucking. We review cases where plants take root in odd locations—like onions under collapsed debris—and when removing them cr...

A practical overview of Hilchos Shabbos  regarding plants, blocked gutters, sinks, smelling fragrant plants, and handling flowers or branches in water. We explore when vegetation is considered attached, when one may clear blockages with a  shinui , when smelling attached plants is permitted, and key rules about soaking grains, placing branches or flowers in water, and avoiding inadvertent “plantin...

This episode covers  Mishnah Berurah  336.4–8, focusing on outdoor activities on Shabbos—especially handling seeds, plants, and potted herbs. We review when scattering seeds for animals is permitted, concerns about accidental sowing, the status of plants growing from moisture on utensils, and the rules for inserting decorative plants into moist soil. We also discuss the halachos of pots with and w...

In this episode, we continue the laws of using trees and their roots on Shabbos. We explain when roots and low branches are considered ground and therefore permitted to use, based on whether they rise above three handbreadths. We also cover complex cases such as uneven ground, roots that bend downward, and when appearance from different sides affects the ruling. Next, we review the permissibility...

A clear overview of the halachos of using trees on Shabbos: why Chazal prohibited climbing or using trees, whether the rules apply to live or dried trees, and what to do if someone accidentally finds themselves in a tree on Shabbos. Includes the Mishnah Berurah’s parameters for hanging objects, leaning on trees, vegetation rules, reeds, rigid stalks, and the debate between major poskim on vegetati...

This episode reviews the laws of rescuing wine, liquids, or food when a barrel breaks on Shabbos. We examine when a person may place a single vessel to save as much as possible, and when using multiple vessels is restricted due to concerns of weekday-like behavior or accidental carrying. We clarify the differences between rescuing up to three meals’ worth versus larger amounts, how invited guests...

This episode concludes the discussion of  Siman 334 —the laws of extinguishing on Shabbos—focusing on when one may put out glowing metal or smoldering wood if it poses a danger to the public. We clarify when moving the hazard is preferable to extinguishing it, the halachic status of metal versus wood, and the principles of  melachah she’einah tzerichah legufah  that affect the rabbinic nature of e...

A practical and detailed overview of the halachic principles governing how to respond to a fire on Shabbos. This episode explains when one may hint to or request assistance from a non-Jew, the limits on protecting property, and how sudden loss changes the halachic framework. We also explore the Rema’s ruling that in modern settings every fire involves possible danger to life—making extinguishing i...

A clear, practical overview of  indirect fire prevention on Shabbos  in the Mishnah Berurah. This episode clarifies when one may prevent a fire’s spread through indirect actions, such as placing wet materials, vessels of water, or protective barriers near a blaze. We examine extinguishing when clothing catches fire, using plates to block flames, concerns of laundry when wetting garments, and disti...