Thursday, May 14, 2015

Using a Toothpick on Shabbat

Using a Toothpick on Shabbat
Day: Thursday
Date: May 14, 2015
Parshat: Behar/Behukotai
Yalkut Yosef: 326


It is permissible to use toothpicks on Shabbat to remove food stuck between one's teeth. One should try to be careful not to make himself bleed. Since his intention is not to make himself bleed, if he did cause himself to bleed it would constitute only a melacha Derabanan. The Rabanan did not forbid such things in situations where refraining will cause pain. Therefore even if he did bleed he has not done anything wrong. One may not break off a twig to use as a toothpick whether he wants to break it off by hand or with a knife. It is permitted though to use a match as toothpick.


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