Halacha Date: 10 Tevet 5776 December 22 2015
Question: May one move silver candlesticks which were not used for candle lighting on a particular Shabbat? Similarly, if a large picture or painting hanging on the wall falls on Shabbat, may one pick it up?
Answer: In previous Halachot we have discussed various objects which our Sages prohibited moving on Shabbat and are classified as “Muktzeh.” In the previous Halacha, we have explained that there is a type of Muktzeh called “Muktzeh due to monetary loss”, which refers to any object that is expensive and people usually do not to use for any other purpose than its intended one, such as a Shechita knife or a camera which are things people are careful with and protect them from get ruined. “Muktzeh due to monetary loss” is more stringent than other types of Muktzeh in that it may not be moved even for its own use or use of its place, similar to “innate Muktzeh”, as we explained above.
Thus, it would seem that silver candlesticks, which are very expensive items, may certainly not be moved even if they were not used on this particular Shabbat (for if they were lit on this particular Shabbat it will be prohibited to move them for a different reason, as we will, G-d willing, explain). Similarly, an expensive painting or picture that is hanging on the wall, which is not used for any other purpose so it does not get ruined, may not be moved on Shabbat, for it retains the status of “Muktzeh due to monetary loss.”
Nevertheless, Maran zt”l, after discussing this matter lengthily, writes that “Muktzeh due to monetary loss” only applies to an object used for a work forbidden on Shabbat, for instance a Shechita knife; since one may not slaughter on Shabbat and the knife is delicate and one is very careful with it, it may thus not be moved on Shabbat under any circumstances. Similarly, regarding a camera, since it is prohibited to photograph on Shabbat and one is careful not to use the camera for any other purpose than its intended one, it may not be moved on Shabbat. Similarly, an electric shaver, which may not be used on Shabbat and is delicate, may not be moved on Shabbat. Many Poskim, such as Hagaon Harav Shneur Zalman of Liadi (the great Ba’al Ha’Tanya) and Hagaon Harav Moshe Feinstein, rule likewise.
Similarly, clothing which is intended for sale may not be moved on Shabbat since the store owner is very careful not to soil these clothes and they are objects designated for an action forbidden on Shabbat, i.e. business. However, silver candlesticks, which act as sort of a “decoration” to the home, cannot be considered Muktzeh in any way. Similarly, one may move a fallen picture frame or painting on Shabbat since this object is not used for anything forbidden on Shabbat.
Hagaon Harav Ben-Zion Abba Shaul zt”l would say that anything that has a set place on Shabbat, such as a picture on the wall, is considered Muktzeh although it is not used for any forbidden work. He therefore prohibits moving a picture frame hanging on the wall on Shabbat and he brings several proofs to his opinion. On the other hands, Maran zt”l writes extensively about this matter and concludes by staying firm in his own ruling that any object which is not used for a work forbidden on Shabbat may be moved, even if it is very expensive.
Thus, halachically speaking, any valuable object used for a work prohibited on Shabbat, such as clothing designated for sale, a camera, or a Shechita knife, may not be moved on Shabbat even for its own use or use of its place. However, any object which is not used for a work forbidden on Shabbat, such as silver candlesticks or an expensive portrait or painting, may be moved on Shabbat even if people are very careful to protect such an object from getting ruined.
