Alexei Volkov
Tearing a plastic bag open on Shabbos is a topic of debate among Jewish authorities. Some sources say that tearing a plastic bag is forbidden due to the Biblical prohibition of Tikkun Keli, which states that it is forbidden to tear or cut items on Shabbos. However, other sources say that it is permitted to tear open a plastic bag if it is a one-time wrapper for food or other items that will be used on Shabbos. Additionally, it is permitted to tear open a plastic bag if it is done in a way that does not create a neat opening, as this would be considered destroying the bag rather than creating a receptacle. It is important to note that tearing apart two attached items, such as sandwich bags, is forbidden. Overall, the halakha follows the lenient position, allowing individuals to open plastic bags in a way that enables easy removal of their contents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tearing toilet paper | Forbidden |
| Tearing to an exact size or measurement | Forbidden |
| Tearing words or letters | Forbidden |
| Creating a viable utensil through tearing | Forbidden |
| Tearing apart two attached items | Forbidden |
| Tearing a wrapper which surrounds wine or grape juice bottle caps | Permitted |
| Tearing a seal that covers the contents of a container | Permitted |
| Tearing between the letters of a word or between words | Permitted |
| Poking a hole and inserting a straw into bags or boxes which contain beverages | Permitted |
| Ripping off the tape which seals a box | Permitted |
| Opening a cookie or cereal box or bag | Permitted |
| Opening a plastic bag | Permitted |
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What You'll Learn
- Tearing plastic is allowed as long as you are not tearing to an exact size or measurement
- Tearing is forbidden if it creates a viable utensil, such as a plastic bag
- Tearing apart two attached items is forbidden
- Tearing any words or letters is forbidden
- Tearing plastic is permitted if it is a disposable wrapper
Tearing plastic is allowed as long as you are not tearing to an exact size or measurement
Tearing plastic is allowed on Shabbos, as long as you are not tearing to an exact size or measurement. It is also important to avoid tearing any words or letters. This means that if you are opening a plastic bag, you should be mindful not to tear it in a way that would create a straight line or a specific shape. It is preferable to tear the plastic bag in an irregular manner.
The act of tearing plastic bags or packaging is generally permitted because these bags are considered disposable and secondary to the food or items they contain. They are not meant to be reused as vessels, so tearing them is not considered destructive. This is in line with the opinion of Rabbi Ribiat, who states that ripping the plastic cover of a magazine is permitted because it is not meant to be a vessel and is only there to protect the magazine.
However, it is important to note that there are dissenting opinions on this matter. Some authorities consider tearing for any useful purpose as a Torah prohibition of tearing on Shabbat (Koraya M'deoraisa). According to this view, tearing a sheet of toilet paper from a roll is prohibited because it creates a usable sheet.
To stay within the boundaries of Halacha, it is recommended to open plastic bags or packaging in a way that does not create a neat opening. Tearing the plastic irregularly or along non-perforated lines can help ensure that you are not tearing to an exact size or measurement. Additionally, try to avoid tearing any letters or pictures on the packaging.
In summary, tearing plastic is allowed on Shabbos as long as you are not tearing to an exact size or measurement, creating a viable utensil, tearing words or letters, or tearing apart two attached items. It is important to be mindful of the specific guidelines and opinions surrounding this topic to ensure your actions align with Halacha.
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Tearing is forbidden if it creates a viable utensil, such as a plastic bag
Tearing is forbidden on Shabbos if it creates a viable utensil. This is one of the six possible Biblical or Rabbinic prohibitions one may violate when opening bottles, cans, or boxes on Shabbos. The prohibition is called Makeh b’patish, which means completing the formation of a utensil.
The concept of "creating a viable utensil" includes tearing toilet paper, as a usable sheet is produced. However, if one does not have any precut paper, most Halachik authorities agree that one may tear off the toilet paper in an unusual way, such as by biting it off, as long as it is not torn along the perforated lines.
The same principle applies to plastic bags. Since cutting a plastic bag from a roll turns it into a usable bag, it is forbidden on Shabbos. This is because the act of cutting or tearing the bag constitutes the Biblical prohibition of Tikkun Keli, which means the prohibition of fixing or completing a vessel.
However, there are dissenting opinions that allow the tearing of plastic bags on Shabbos. Some argue that one who makes a neat opening in a bag is not ruining it but creating a receptacle. Therefore, one may open plastic bags in whatever way enables the easy removal of their contents. Additionally, if the bag contains items necessary for Shabbos, such as tissues or diapers, it may be opened even if it is clear that letters will be torn in the process.
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Tearing apart two attached items is forbidden
However, it is important to note that there are some exceptions and nuances to this rule. For example, if the attached items are meant to be disposable and secondary to the main product, such as an orange peel to an orange, then it is permitted to separate them. This is because the peel is not considered a vessel and its destruction is not considered forbidden.
Additionally, some authorities argue that tearing in an unusual way, such as biting, may be permissible. This is in reference to toilet paper, where it is generally forbidden to tear sheets of toilet paper from a roll, even along perforated lines. However, in the absence of pre-cut paper, some authorities allow tearing in an unusual manner.
Furthermore, the prohibition of tearing apart two attached items does not apply to items that are not meant to be vessels or used for a specific purpose. For example, it is permitted to tear the wrapper off a toy or a magazine, as these wrappers are meant to be removed and are not considered vessels.
Overall, while tearing apart two attached items is generally forbidden on Shabbos, there are exceptions based on the nature of the items, the intent, and the manner of tearing. It is important to consult with religious authorities for specific guidance on this matter.
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Tearing any words or letters is forbidden
Tearing is generally forbidden on Shabbos. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, it is permitted to tear the wrapper off a toy or a magazine. This is because the wrapper is not meant to be a vessel and is only there to protect the item until it is used. This also applies to one-time wrappers for food or other items that will be used for Shabbos.
Nevertheless, tearing any words or letters is forbidden. This includes tearing through lettering on a package or book. If it is not possible to open a package without ripping the words or letters on it, it should be opened in an irregular manner. For example, by tearing it in a way that avoids the writing or by biting it off.
Additionally, it is forbidden to tear paper in any way on Shabbos. This includes tearing toilet paper from a roll, as it is considered a "`constructive` act of Koraya," where a usable sheet is produced. Therefore, religious Jews only use pre-cut paper.
It is also forbidden to tear apart two attached items. For example, it is forbidden to tear a plastic sandwich bag from a pack where each bag is slightly attached to the one below it.
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Tearing plastic is permitted if it is a disposable wrapper
For example, one may tear the wrapper off a magazine or book, as it is only there to protect the item until it is used. Similarly, one may tear the plastic wrapping on a pack of plates, as it is a one-time covering. It is preferable to open these types of wrappers in a way that ruins them so they cannot be used as receptacles.
Food wrappers, such as those on candy bars, chocolate bars, and juice boxes, can also be torn open. Since the wrapper is meant to be disposable and secondary to the food, it can be removed in the same way as one would remove an orange peel to eat the orange. It is important to note that one should try not to tear any letters or pictures on the packaging.
In addition, one may tear open the wrapper on a toy, even if it is not a food item or a physical need. This is because the wrapper is not meant to be a vessel, so tearing it is not considered destructive. Overall, as long as one avoids tearing to an exact size or measurement, tearing apart two attached items, and creating a viable utensil, tearing disposable plastic wrappers is permitted on Shabbos.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is permitted to tear open a plastic bag on Shabbos as long as it is not made of strong, long-lasting material and will not be reused. However, one should be careful not to tear any letters or pictures on the bag.
It is permitted to tear open wrappers around wine or grape juice bottle caps, candy bars, freeze pops, and other items necessary for Shabbos. It is also allowed to tear open seals that cover the contents of containers, such as the inside seal of a coffee jar or an aluminium foil seal on a yoghurt container.
It is forbidden to tear open corrugated boxes that are made of strong, long-lasting material and might be reused in the future. It is also prohibited to tear sheets of toilet paper from a roll on Shabbos, as this is considered a "constructive" act of Koraya, where a usable sheet is produced.
It is forbidden to tear open a tablecloth roll to cover one's table or any other usage. It is also prohibited to tear open garbage bags from a garbage bag roll, as well as plastic sandwich bags that are slightly attached and need to be torn off the roll.
