May one untie, unravel, or cut ropes sealing vessel covers (like chests, boxes) on Shabbat?
Synopsis
Ropes and string seals may be untied, unraveled, or cut. However, wooden or metal locks/clasps may not be broken because full demolishing applies to vessels. The status of hinges and clasps is disputed.
More in Lids and Covers on Shabbat
May one break a barrel that was cracked and re-glued with pitch in order to retrieve food inside on Shabbat?
4 opinions
Is it forbidden to break a fully intact barrel on Shabbat even if no shaped opening is made?
3 opinions across 3 eras
Is it forbidden to bore a new hole in a barrel, or to widen an existing hole, on Shabbat?
3 opinions
May one extract and replace a knife that was wedged into a barrel before Shabbat?
2 opinions
May one reopen a clogged hole in a barrel on Shabbat, and does the hole's position (above or below the wine dregs) matter?
1 opinions
May one use a drill (makdeiach) to reopen a sealed hole in a barrel where the stopper was broken?
3 opinions
May one use a second stopper to knock out a stuck stopper in a barrel in order to drink wine on Shabbat?
2 opinions
May one insert a hollow cane or a myrtle leaf into a barrel hole as a spout to draw wine on Shabbat?
3 opinions
Related from other topics
What is the reason geothermal spring water (like Tiberias) is invalid for vessel-based hand-washing, and does the dog-drinkability test apply to other bitter/hot springs?
Who Must Wash Hands for Bread
Is it permitted to repair one's own clothing or vessels on Erev Shabbat for the purpose of Shabbat?
Bathing Before Shabbat
May one take vessels from a craftsman's workshop on Shabbat or Yom Tov even if they were finished before Shabbat?
Personal Grooming for Shabbat
May one use candlelight to differentiate between similar-looking garments or vessels on Shabbat?
Reading by Candlelight
Does the size or weight of an object affect its status as a keli (vessel/utensil) for Shabbat?
Muktzeh
May one move broken vessel pieces on Shabbat?
Muktzeh
Discussion
Discussion coming soon.
The Daily Law
One question. Every opinion. Every morning.
A new halakhic question and the full spectrum of rabbinic thought, delivered daily.