Chapter 20
Categories of Muktzeh
Laws specifically relating to muktzeh on Yom Tov are explained in Chapter 21.
BASIS LA-DAVAR HA-ASSUR
57. The application of the rules relating to basis la-daver ha-assur can only be understood by reference to practical examples, a variety of which is contained in the following paragraphs.
58.a. 1) If one has placed an object which is muktzeh on the lid of a container
a) with the intention that it should remain there for the whole of the period from sunset until the stars come out on Friday night and
b) in such a way that the container serves the purposes of the muktzeh object and not the reverse, the container becomes a basis la-davar ha-assur and remains so, even after the muktzeh object has been removed from it (for example by a non-Jew).
2) It is also forbidden to lift the lid in order to take food or any other item out of the container.
58.b. 1) The actual contents of the container are not, however, considered to be a basis la-davar ha-assur.
2) Consequently, they may be taken out and moved if there is a possibility of doing this without removing the lid.
3) This would be the case if, for instance,
a) the container was a barrel of wine fitted with a tap or
b) the lid, together with the muktzeh object, fell off by itself or was removed by a non-Jew.
