Assembling a Baby Cradle on Shabbat
Question
Shalom to the honored Rabbi,
In the Mishnah Berurah, siman 315, it is explained that one who makes an ohel without partitions, not for the purpose of making an ohel, and does not need the space underneath it, is permitted to do so. However, according to the Taz, if there are four partitions, it is forbidden. The Mishnah Berurah writes in the name of the Acharonim that in a place where people ordinarily do not use the space underneath, one need not be stringent even when there are four partitions.
In light of this, my question is:
Is it permitted to assemble on Shabbat a baby cradle whose board is not attached to it, and whose method of assembly is that one opens the folds and sets it up, and then inserts the board? My question is divided into several parts:
A. Even when placing the board at the very bottom, in such a way that it is level with the lower partition (which does not reach the ground, but is less than three tefachim from it), do we apply the principle of lavud here, so that it is considered as if there are four walls beneath the cradle? Or, since no partition descends downward from the board, is it not applicable to say lavud in this case?
B. Can it be said nowadays that, as a rule, people do not place anything under a cradle, and therefore one need not be stringent in accordance with the Taz?
C. In a case where it is forbidden, such as when one needs the space underneath it and the like, would it help to turn the cradle on its side and then insert the board? Or is the dispensation given in this matter only in a case where one places the roof first and only afterward inserts the partitions?
Thank you very much.
In the Mishnah Berurah, siman 315, it is explained that one who makes an ohel without partitions, not for the purpose of making an ohel, and does not need the space underneath it, is permitted to do so. However, according to the Taz, if there are four partitions, it is forbidden. The Mishnah Berurah writes in the name of the Acharonim that in a place where people ordinarily do not use the space underneath, one need not be stringent even when there are four partitions.
In light of this, my question is:
Is it permitted to assemble on Shabbat a baby cradle whose board is not attached to it, and whose method of assembly is that one opens the folds and sets it up, and then inserts the board? My question is divided into several parts:
A. Even when placing the board at the very bottom, in such a way that it is level with the lower partition (which does not reach the ground, but is less than three tefachim from it), do we apply the principle of lavud here, so that it is considered as if there are four walls beneath the cradle? Or, since no partition descends downward from the board, is it not applicable to say lavud in this case?
B. Can it be said nowadays that, as a rule, people do not place anything under a cradle, and therefore one need not be stringent in accordance with the Taz?
C. In a case where it is forbidden, such as when one needs the space underneath it and the like, would it help to turn the cradle on its side and then insert the board? Or is the dispensation given in this matter only in a case where one places the roof first and only afterward inserts the partitions?
Thank you very much.
Answer
Shalom u’vrachah.
A. There is no issue, because there are no walls there.
B. It depends on your usual practice. Generally, with a cradle that is folded after use, it is not customary to store things underneath it.
C. It seems that in this manner as well it is permitted, since the idea of placing the roof before the partitions is because of making a change from the usual manner, and this too is a change in the assembly.
Source
See Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, siman 315, and Maharsha, Eruvin
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