Car Safety

Based on the posuk “to watch out for ourselves” one has an obligation to drive safely; below are a few areas in which one should be cognizant of especially during the Summer when one tends to drive a lot more than during the year.  

Some say that if one goes faster than the speed limit it is included in the aforementioned issur. If one speaks on a telephone while driving he is putting himself in grave danger. If one has a speaker food or blue-tooth then he may talk on his cell phone. One should not have his inside light on during the night since it is bothersome for drivers for are passing by. Whether one is driving or is a passenger in a car he has an obligation to wear a seatbelt at all times. One should insist that his passengers wear a seatbelt as well. A study was done a couple of years ago and it stated that the seatbelt was the most important innovation in car safety in the past fifty years. Of those who survive car accidents those who are wearing seatbelts are three times more likely to survive than those who were not wearing them. Before one drives he should make sure that he is wake and alert, if not he should sleep before he goes on the road. 

Muktzah Objects

A Bathing Suit– a bathing suit is not muktzah because it is possible to wear even though he is not going to use it for swimming. Flippers– Are a kli sh’melachtu l’issur and may only be moved if you need it or the place. Goggles and Snorkels are also kli sh’melachtu l’issur. Golashes– are a kli sh’malchtu l’heter. Sunglasses– even though there is a discussion in the poskim whether or not one may wear sunglasses on Shabbos in a place that there is no eiruv (look below) they are not muktzah. The reason is because even according to those who are stringent one may wear them indoors. Fly Swatter– A fly swatter is a kli sh’melachtu l’issur. A Fan– A fan that is working is operating now is a kli sh’melachtu l’issur according to many poskim. One is permitted to push down the button on the fan to make it move in different directions or to stop the oscillating. Doing so is not a problem of maveir on Shabbos because no electrical current is switched on or off. One should make sure when moving the fan that he does not pull the plug out. One may turn the fan in any direction to make it blow on him. Some say if one is too cold he may turn the fan away. Sandbox– A sandbox is not muktzah because it has been designated for this type of play; therefore, a child may play in a sandbox on Shabbos. However, water should not be used in the sandbox as this would be a problem of Losh.

Compiled by Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits who can be reached at[email protected]

Reviewed by Rabbi Ben-zion Schiffenbauer Shlita

All Piskei Harav Yisrael Belsky Shlita are Reviewed by Harav Yisrael Belsky Shlita