The Concept of Pesik Resha

The Concept of Pesik Resha Day: Tuesday Date: December 22, 2015 Parshat: Vayehi Yalkut Yosef: O"H: General Principles in Hilchot Shabbat As mentioned previously, it is permissible to do something on Shabbat that may or may not also cause a melacha to happen. However, if the melacha will definitely happen, it is called a "pesik resha," and may not be done on Shabbat. The classic example and the source for the name of this concept come from the following. Until relatively modern times, one couldn't buy a ball for children to play with; instead the children would use the decapitated head of a chicken. Upon removal its head, the chicken would obviously die. Even though the intention is to get a ball for the children to play with and not to kill the chicken, still, since the chicken will invariably die it is forbidden. DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org