Using Zippers on Shabbos

Question

Shalom aleichem Rabbi Lauffer. Thank you for answering my last question. If a pillow contains a zipper, would that pillow be muktzeh on Shabbos, and if not, would the zipper itself be muktzeh on Shabbos, even when it is attached to the pillow? Thanks a lot.

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    In general a zipper is treated in in the same manner as a button since it is meant to be opened and closed (Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchosa 15 with footnote 232 quoting the opinion of Harav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach). Accordingly, one may close a suitcase that has a zipper, or zip a bag of food. However, there are opinions among the Poskim who maintain that one should not place a winter lining in one’s coat on Shabbos if it will be left in place for the entire winter (see Emes L’Yaakov 317:3, Be’er Moshe 3:88, Shevet Ha’Levi 3:51, 8:61). One who wants to insert the lining on a temporary basis may do so (see Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchosa 15:74). Similarly, one may attach a hood to a coat with a zipper for a short period of time (see Zachor V’Shamor page 11).

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team