"Bosis" on Shabbos | Sheilot

"Bosis" on Shabbos

Question

Hi, if my cleaning lady placed an envelope with a bill in it on a sefer before Shabbat, is there a problem of bosis?

Answer

Thank you for your question.

It does not become Bosis, since it is written in the Shulchan Aruch, that one cannot make something Bosis if it is not his without the consent of the ba'al habayit. This is the quote of the Rema;

שולחן ערוך אורח חיים הלכות שבת סימן שט סעיף ד
אם אדם הניח דבר מוקצה על של חבירו, לא אמרינן דנעשה בסיס לדבר האסור, דאין אדם אוסר של חבירו שלא מדעתו (א"ז). 

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim – Laws of Shabbos, Siman 309, Se’if 4

If a person placed a muktzeh item on top of his friend’s object, we do not say that the object becomes a basis for a forbidden item (basis le’davar ha’assur), because a person cannot render his friend’s property forbidden without his knowledge. (Ohr Zarua)

Wishing you much success.

Answered 2 March 2026 How answers are reviewed
Rabbi Avrohom Yishayah Harroch
Answered by
Head of the English department at sheilot.com, Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Graduate of Yeshivas Ponovezh and Kollel Ponovezh, tested by Mifal Halacha, Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah (2022–2026)
Basar Vecholv, Ta'aroves, Ribis, Laws of Shabbos, Yom Tov, Chol Hamoed, Niddah, Tzitzis and Tefillin, Eiruvin, Succah
About the Rabbi

Comments

Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)

Please sign up or log in to submit your comment