Chapter 22
General Principles Relating to Muktzeh on Shabbath and Yom Tov
USING, TOUCHING AND MOVING OBJECTS WHICH ARE MUKTZEH
37.a. 1) A table with candlesticks standing on it is not a basis la-davar ha-assur if the Shabbath loaves were also on the table when Shabbath began, or if any of the conditions stated in Chapter 20, paragraphs 50 to 56 in unfulfilled
2) In that case, following the rules set out in Chapter 20, paragraph 47b, the table may be moved while the candlesticks are still on it, if in fact
a) one needs the place occupied by the table, or needs to use the table itself elsewhere, and
b) one cannot first tilt the table to make the candlesticks fall off, for fear that they will be damaged.
3) The reason why this is permitted is that one is moving muktzeh objects (the candlesticks) by means of another article (the table) which one holds in one’s hands, for the purposes of something (the floor or the table, as the case may be) which is not muktzeh.
37.b. 1) It is forbidden to pull or push the table with one’s hands for the purposes of the candlesticks, for example in order to avoid the risk of their being stolen or damaged.
2) The reason why this is forbidden is that one would thereby be moving the candlesticks with an article held in one’s hands (the table) for the purposes of something which is muktzeh (namely the candlesticks themselves).
37.c. One may move the table with the candlesticks still on it, even for the purposes of the candlesticks, if one does so with one’s foot, one’s body, or any other part of the anatomy one would not normally use, as explained in paragraph 34 above.
