Question:
What is the general halacha of paper and loose pages in book/even torn pages?
Answer:
If a page is torn in a book it’s permissible to place the two half pages next to one another in order to read it, if there no other copy of the same book is available, however, one may not tape the two pieces together.
One may not sort loose pages that fell out of a broken book in a particular order unless one intends to read them immediately.
If a notebook is empty it’s muktzeh. If it is partially filled, and the pages of content have some importance and one sometimes reads them, then, the notebook is not Muktzeh and one may turn the blank pages in order to reach the pages of content. However, if the pages of content aren’t of importance and one doesn’t read them, then the notebook as a whole is Muktzeh and should not be moved. It’s permissible to open and close the rings of a loose-leaf binder.
[There are two general categories of Muktzeh: 1) items which are useless (absolute Muktzeh) and 2) items that are used for a prohibited purpose (partial Muktzeh). Items in the first category are generally useless or may not be used at all on Shabbos. That being the case, items that are absolutely Muktzeh are prohibited from being moved for any purpose. On the other hand, items are usually not used but are sometimes used are in the second category. Items that are partially Muktzeh may be moved if the item itself is needed or its place is needed. ]
There are a number of subcategories within each category that shall be explained below. Additionally, there are whole subcategories that are in doubt. Some consider them to be absolutely Muktzeh and others consider them to be partially Muktzeh. Finally, there are items that aren’t Muktzeh at all.
A loose leaf binder that contains commercial documents, building plans, account documents, passports, or identity certificates is considered Muktzeh and shouldn’t be moved.
If a loose-leaf binder has pages with content together with blank pages, and the pages of content have some importance and one sometimes reads them, then, the binder is not Muktzeh and one may turn the blank pages in order to reach the pages of content. However, if the pages of content aren’t of importance and one doesn’t read them, then the binder as a whole is Muktzeh and should be moved.
The Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchsa 28:9. Sh”t Iggerot Moshe OC 5:21:8 writes that whether the pages of the loose leaf are considered one unit depends on why you connected them. If it is one unit then the blank pages the entire binder isn’t muktzeh. If you left in the pages together so that if that there’s a mistake you can remove them then it isn’t one unit. If you left the pages together so that it is easier to print them at the end then it is one unit. Blank pieces of paper are Muktzeh.The Magen Avraham 308:10 quotes the Shiltei Giborim 34a that blank paper is muktzeh machmat chisaron kis. Igrot Moshe 4:72 agrees and applies it to his time as well saying that regular people don’t throw out paper for no reason even though it is cheap. R’ Nissim Karelitz agrees. However, Dirshu 308:6 cites Rav Elyashiv, Shevet Halevi, and Shemiras Shabbos Kehichata that blank paper is not muktzeh machmat chisaron kis today. Igrot Moshe 5:22:1 writes that blank paper today have no use at all and are muktzeh machmat gufo according to those who consider Kli Shekol Melachto Lisur to be muktzeh. Using them as a bookmark doesn’t make them into a kli since it isn’t a significant use.It’s permissible to remove an index card from an index if one plans on using that card immediately. If unintentionally, the wrong card was removed, no transgression was incurred.If one has removed a (single) card, it’s permissible to find a place in the index to replace it,see the Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchsa (in old edition 3:43, in the new 3:47) for further insight in to this.One may not sort loose pages that fell out of a broken book in a particular order. |