Striking with an Object to Silence the Congregation on Sabbath
Question
I am a gabbai (synagogue official) and I need to silence the congregation in the synagogue before the cantor finishes a section. Therefore, I strike forcefully with a handy object [this is a large synagogue and the congregants tend to pray very loudly]. Is this permissible on the Sabbath, or is there a prohibition against producing sound with an object on the Sabbath?
Answer
If a gabbai strikes the table, or hits the table with an object, in this case the Mishnah Berurah (Subsection 7) wrote that if this is not a tool specifically designated for this, it is permissible.
Source
Mishnah Berurah (Chapter 338, subsection 7)
Comments
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