Chapter 28
A Miscellany Including Stationery, Clocks, Noises, Baby Carriages, Remuneration and Advance Preparations
BOOKS AND STATIONERY
5.a. One may open an envelope by removing the staples with which it is sealed.
5.b. The same applies to a magazine or booklet which has been stapled together for transmission by post.
5.c. On the other hand, it is prohibited to remove the staples from pages which have been permanently stapled together.
5.d. It is also prohibited to use a stapler to seal an envelope
or to join pages together.
6.a. It is generally forbidden to move the following documents since they are muktzeh
1) business letters;
2) building plans;
3) accounts;
4) passports;
5) identity certificates.
6.b. If one is accustomed to using one’s identity certificate, as in a time of emergency, one may handle it on Shabbath or Yom Tov. (See also Chapter 18, paragraph 22.)
