A Toy that Makes Noise on Shabbos

Question

Is it permissible to allow a child to play with a mechanical noise-making toy on Shabbos?

Answer

If the toy produces any song, it is forbidden according to all opinions. If it makes a non-melodic beeping sound, contemporary halachic authorities are divided on whether this is permitted. And when the child is slightly older and understands the concept of Shabbos, there is certainly a disrespect for Shabbos in this.

Source

Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim, section 338); Biur Halacha (ibid.); Igros Moshe (Orach Chaim, part 5, section 22, letter 7); Minchat Shlomo (II, section 60, subsection 1).

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