Using A Ladder On Shabbat

Using A Ladder On Shabbat Day: Wednesday Date: January 22, 2014 Parshat: Mishpatim Source: Yalkut Yosef: 308 A small step ladder that is used to reach things around the house is not considered to be muktzeh. It is considered to be a kli shemelachto leheter. An object who's primary function is permitted on Shabbat. Therefore one may use such a ladder to return items to their place or to take them off a high shelf on Shabbat. One may also move it to protect it from the elements or from getting stolen. Larger ladders that are used or construction and other such purposes are also not muktzeh if they are also used for purposes that are permitted on Shabbat. However they should still not be used because people who see may think that he is going to do repairs on Shabbat. One who puts a lamp on a timer so that it will turn on and off at specific times may switch the lamp off when the timer causes it to turn off so that it will not turn on again. However in order to be able to do so he needs to stipulate verbally before Shabbat that he wants to be able to turn it off if he desires. One should preferably make the stipulation every week however as long as it was made once a year it works. If he forgot to stipulate one week he may tell a goy to switch the lamp off so that it will not turn back on with the timer.  If there is no goy he may do it himself as long he stipulated at least once during the year. The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org