Animals (628)

Chapter 27

Laws Relating to Animals on Shabbath and Yom Tov

USING AN ANIMAL

17.a. One is not permitted to use an animal on Shabbath or Yom Tov,

1) even if the use does not involve an infringement of the prohibition against leading an animal,

2) even if it does not involve a breach of the obligation to stop one’s animal from performing a forbidden activity and

3) even if it does not involve the animal in performing a forbidden activity at all.

17.b. Consequently, one must not

1) ride on an animal,

2) hang on the side of an animal,

3) climb onto an animal, even without any intention of riding it,

4) place on an animal an item of which it has no need, even if the item is tied on and stays in place, or

5) sit in a cart harnessed to an animal, even if it is being driven by a non-Jew, as this in itself is included in the prohibition against riding.

17.c. On the other hand, one may

1) remove from an animal an item which one needs, provided one does not move the animal in doing so,

2) remove from an animal an item which is causing it pain or suffering, even if one moves the animal in doing so, and

3) place on an animal an item which it needs, as in the case of

a) the rope of a halter* worn by a horse,

b) a saddle cushion put on a donkey to keep it warm or

c) a nose-bag worn by small calves who find it difficult to eat off the ground,

but one must take care not to lean on the animal when putting the item on it.

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* See paragraph 7c1c above.