Monday, January 14, 2013

The Miuktzeh Status of Peels, Pits, and Shells

Day: Monday
Date: January 14, 2013
Parshat: Bo
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 308

Sponsored by the Aharonoff family in memory of Sarah bat Yocheved. May her neshama be elevated and may she be a heavenly advocate on our behalf.


Shells and pits fall into the category of Muktzeh Mahmat Gufo since they have no functional use. One who is eating sunflower seeds may take the shells out of his mouth by hand to put on the table and he doesn't have to spit them out. However, once they are on the table they may not be moved directly for any purpose since they are Muktzeh Mahmat Gufo . The same goes for any other shells, pits, or peels. If the shells can be used as animal food then they do in fact have a purpose and they would not be Muktzeh. Likewise, if some of the fruit is left on the pit, it's also not Muktzeh. For example, if one is eating olives and a little bit of the olive clings to the pit, the pit is not Muktzeh. As always they can be moved indirectly, such as being swept up with a napkin, which is known as Tiltul Min Hatzad. They can also be moved directly if a person wants to sit at the table and finds them unsightly.


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