Chapter 23
Housekeeping and Use of Domestic Facilities on Shabbath and Yom Tov.
BELLS AND KNOCKERS
45.a. One should not use a bell either on Shabbath or on Yom Tov
45.b. As will be seen from Chapter 28, paragraphs 32 and 34, there is a Rabbinical prohibition extending even to the use of an ordinary bell which is not electrically operated.
45.c. 1) If
a) there is no other way in which one can enter one’s house, and
b) one really does need to enter,
one can rely on the authorities who relax the severity of the rule in such circumstances and may ring the bell, provided that it is not electrically operated.
2) Where at all possible in such a case, one should operate the bell in a manner which one would not adopt on another day, for instance by using one’s elbow.
46.a. One may not, on Shabbath or Yom Tov, knock on a door with a knocker which is used on the other days of the week, but one may knock with one’s hand.
46.b. One may use a knocker which is especially intended for use only on Shabbath and Yom Tov.
