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Winter 2010-2011 The Halachos of Snow/Ice Removal

Q) Is it permitted to chop ice on Shabbos?

A) The melocha of Sosair is the mirror opposite melocha of Boneh. Whatver may not be
assembled because of Boneh may not be demolished because of Sosair. By Torah law, one may
not disassemble a structure or even part of a structure for the purpose of rebuilding it, as well as
for any constructive purpose (even if not to reuild). However Rabbinically one may not even
demolish or disassemble even for purely destructive purposes or no purpose at all. R' Tzvi
Pesach Frank z'l, discussing a case of removing snow/ice from a roof raises the issue that
chopping hard snow/ ice could violate the melacha of Sosair. It could be the ice is considered
attached to the roof and is similar to removing a detachment from a building, a violation of
Sosair. (Har Tzvi section on 39 melachos Sossair, based on Magain Avraham cited in the Mishna
Berura 320:36 that one is not allowed to chop ice over a river). Most Achronim disagree with
this position and maintain chopping ice is permitted on Shabbos. Based on this, one would be
permitted to chop ice from the sidewalk in front of one's home or shul on Shabbos (Mishna Brura
320:36).

Q) Is it permitted to shovel snow on Shabbos? Is it permitted to spread salt on your walkway on


Shabbos?

A) In the case of soft snow which has just fallen and has not yet frozen, there is no issue of
Sosair as the snow cannot be considered "attached" to the ground. It would be permitted to
shovel or sweep away the snow. Hardened or frozen snow may be Halachikally regarded as
part of the surface raising a question of Sosair. Furthermore, some raise the issue of "tircha"
as shoveling snow is an exertive activity. (39 Melachos, R' D. Ribiat, p.1098 - footnote 47b
in the name of the Lev Avraham 49). Nevertheless even in this case, many poskim permit one
to shovel the snow for Shabbos purposes, particularly if it will be a danger to oneself or
others (people may slip and become seriously injured walking to shul). When possible it is
best to get a non-Jew to do these activities (Piskei Teshuvos, p.231; 39 Melachos, Sosair -
note 47d).
B) Salting Ice or Covering With Sand- Issues
1) clep - Regarding the potential issue of clep, dramatic change, which is normally xeq`
epaxc, however when spread on salt the change is not instantaneous. Therefore it is
considered a `nxb or indirect action and xzen.
2) dpea Usually, a person is not allowed to add a new layer of material to the ground, as it is
considered “building” (similar to laying a new layer of dirt). However, since salt added to
the ground to breakup the ice is temporary in nature {normally opaxc xeq`}- in a place of
potential xrv (bodily harm) the Rabbis did not prohibit “temporary” dpea.
3) dvwen - In theory, it is better to use table salt, as special ice melting salt has no regular
permitted use on Shabbos, however if these salts are necessary to melt ice (table salt just
won’t work) then you would be permitted since in a place of potential xrv (bodily harm)
the Rabbis did not prohibit dvwen either.
4) Spreading Sand - dpea In theory it is preferable to use salt on ice instead of sand for
traction. The reason being since the sand will remain on the sidewalk, the layer of sand is
considered more of a “permanent form of dpea ”. Others argue that although sand is more
permanent, however since the dirt spread on a concrete sidewalk is undesirable (you want
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it to be washed away) it is no worse than salt.
5) In conclusion, it is permitted to spread salt on snow that has fallen on steps or sidewalks
where there is a real concern people may slip, even special melting salt (Piskei Teshuvos,
Hilchos Shabbos, p.231; Beer Moshe 1:28). If this concern exists and only sand is
available, one can spread sand as well. However when possible it is better to get a
non-Jew to do these activities.

Q) May one make a snowball on Shabbos?

A) Regarding the issue of whether snow is dvwen is a machlokes between Rav Moshe
Feinstein z"l and Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach z"l. Rav Moshe is cited as saying that snow
is muktzah machmas gufo since there is no intrinsic use for snow (R' P. Bodner in Sefer
Tiltulei Shabbos p.165). Rav Shlomo Zalman holds that snow is not muktzah - just like rain
that falls on Shabbos is not muktzah (Shemiras Shabbos K'Hilchosa 16:44 v note 106). Even
if snow is not Muktzah, it is still forbidden to form a snowball on Shabbos because it is
similar to dpea , forming an object on Shabbos (SSK 16:44). Many however hold that if a
snowball has already been formed, it is permitted to throw them thereby smashing them.
Since they will melt after a time anyway, there is no prohibition of Sosair (R' Shlomo Zalman
in SSK 16:44, footnote 106). One can be lenient for little children (Piskei Teshuvos, Hilchos
Shabbos, p.231).

- A special thank you to R’ Yoni Posnick for his notes on some of these questions

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