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DAAT · LEVEL 1 — INTRODUCTION
Siman של״ח · 8 Seifim
Producing sound on Shabbos (hashma'as kol) — to discover and understand
סימן של״ח
דְּבָרִים הָאֲסוּרִים בְּשַׁבָּת מִשּׁוּם הַשְׁמָעַת קוֹל
🌱 Introduction Level · מתחילים
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First approach to Siman של״ח: full Hebrew text of the Mechaber, fluent translation, pedagogical explanations of the halachic concepts, modern practical cases, and a summary.
Topic: Producing sound on Shabbos (hashma'as kol)
Source: שולחן ערוך אורח חיים סימן של״ח (8 seifim)
Compiled by: רב יוסף חיים סממה
DAAT · daattorah.com
📑 Study plan
1. The text of the Shulchan Aruch — the 8 seifim of the Mechaber
2. The general context: why this siman, what is the question?
3. The key halachic concepts of this siman
4. Breakdown of the seifim — one by one
5. The Mishnah Berurah — first entries
6. The position of the Rema — Ashkenazi vs Sephardi differences
7. Modern practical cases
8. Practical summary and rules to remember
9. Comprehension questions
1. The text of the Shulchan Aruch
Siman של״ח contains 8 seifim of the Mechaber (Rabbi Yosef Karo) which codify the rules relating to producing sound on Shabbos (hashma'as kol).
Seif א
דברים האסורים בשבת משום השמעת קול. ובו ח סעיפים:
השמעת קול בכלי שיר אסור אבל להקיש על הדלת וכיוצא בזה כשאינו דרך שיר מותר: הגה וכן אם לא עביד מעשה שרי ולכן אלו שקורין לחבריהם ומצפצפים בפיהם כמו צפור מותר לעשותו בשבת (הגהות אלפסי) ואסור להכות בשבת על הדלת בטבעת הקבוע בדלת אע״פ שאינו מכוין לשיר מ״מ הואיל והכלי מיוחד לכך אסור ולכן אסור לשמש להכות על הדלת לקרוא לבית הכנסת ע״י הכלי המיוחד לכך אלא מכה בידו על הדלת. (אגור וב״י בשם פסקי תוספות דעירובין):
Translation: producing sound with a musical instrument is forbidden; but knocking on the door and similar noises, when it is not in the manner of song, is permitted. (Rema: likewise, if one does not perform an act [with an instrument], it is permitted — so those who call their friends by whistling with the mouth like a bird, it is permitted on Shabbos. However, it is forbidden to knock on the door with the knocker fixed to the door, even without intending song: since this instrument is dedicated to this use, it is forbidden; and so the shamash should not knock on the door to call to the shul with the object dedicated to that, but knocks with his hand on the door.)
What this seif says:
- Producing a sound with a musical instrument is forbidden; but knocking on the door and the like, when it is not in the manner of song — permitted.
- Rama: and likewise if he performs no act — it is permitted; thus those who call their fellows by whistling with their mouth like a bird are permitted to do so on Shabbat.
- Rama: and it is forbidden to knock on Shabbat on the door with the ring fixed to it — though he does not intend song, the implement being made for that, it is forbidden; and therefore the beadle may not knock on the door to call to the synagogue with the implement made for it, but knocks with his hand on the door.
Seif ב
יש מתירים לומר לעכו״ם לנגן בכלי שיר בחופות: הגה ואפי' לומר לעכו״ם לתקן הכלי שיר שרי משום כבוד חתן וכלה אבל בלא״ה אסור (מרדכי פרק משילין) ומיהו בזמן הזה נהגו להקל מטעם שיתבאר בסי' שאחר זה לענין טפוח ורקוד:
Translation: some permit telling a non-Jew to play a musical instrument at weddings (chuppos). (Rema: and even to tell a non-Jew to repair the instrument — it is permitted, for the honor of the chosson and kallah; but otherwise it is forbidden. However, nowadays the custom is to be lenient, for the reason that will be explained in the next siman regarding clapping and dancing.)
What this seif says:
- Some permit telling a non-Jew to play a musical instrument at weddings.
- Rama: and even telling a non-Jew to mend the instrument is permitted, for the honour of bride and groom; but apart from that it is forbidden.
- Rama: however in our time the custom is to be lenient, for the reason set out in the next siman regarding clapping and dancing.
Seif ג
זוג המקשקש לשעות עשוי ע״י משקולת מותר לערכו ולהכינו מבעוד יום כדי שילך ויקשקש כל השבת:
Translation: a chiming clock driven by a weight — it is permitted to set it and prepare it before Shabbos [from erev Shabbos] so that it runs and chimes all Shabbos (the sound is not musical and operates on its own).
What this seif says:
- A chiming clock worked by a weight: permitted to set and prepare it while still day, so that it run and chime all Shabbat.
Seif ד
המשמר פירותיו וזרעיו מפני חיה ועוף לא יספוק כף אל כף ולא יטפח כפיו על ירכו ולא ירקד להבריחם גזירה שמא יטול צרור ויזרוק להם:
Translation: one who guards his fruits and seeds against wild animals and birds — he should not clap one hand against the other, nor slap his hands on his thigh, nor dance to drive them off — by decree, lest he take a pebble and throw it at them [carrying in the public domain, or sorting].
What this seif says:
- One guarding his fruit and seeds from beast and bird: he shall not clap hand on hand, nor beat his palms on his thigh, nor dance to drive them off.
- By decree, lest he take a pebble and throw it at them.
Seif ה
אין שוחקים באגוזים ולא בתפוחים וכיוצא בהם משום אשוויי גומות: הגה ודוקא על גבי קרקע אבל על גבי שלחן שרי דליכא למגזר שם משום גומות (רבינו ירוחם) מותר לשחוק בעצמות שקורין טשי״ך אע״פ שמשמיעים קול הואיל ואינן מתכוונין לשיר (הגהות אלפסי סוף עירובין) וכל זה בשוחק דרך צחוק בעלמא (ב״י) אבל בשוחק כדי להרויח אסור אפי' שוחק בתם ובחסר דהוי כמקח וממכר (אגור וב״י ורמב״ם פכ״ג) ומ״מ אין למחות בנשים וקטנים דמוטב שיהיו שוגגין ואל יהו מזידין [תוס' וסמ״ג והגהת מיימוני פכ״א] ולשחוק בכדור ע״ל סי' ש״ח סעיף מ״ה:
Translation: one does not play with nuts or apples and the like [rolling them], because of the leveling of depressions in the ground. (Rema: and this only on the ground; but on a table it is permitted, since there is no concern of depressions there. It is permitted to play with knucklebones even though they produce sound, since one does not intend song. All this when one plays for mere amusement; but playing to win [money] is forbidden, for it is like commerce. Nevertheless, one does not reprimand women and children [who play thus]: better that they transgress unknowingly than deliberately.)
What this seif says:
- One does not play with nuts, nor with apples, nor with the like — because of levelling hollows. Rama: and this on the ground; but on a table it is permitted, there being no cause to decree there for hollows.
- Rama: permitted to play with knucklebones, though they make a sound — since one does not intend song.
- Rama: and all this of one who plays by way of mere amusement; but one who plays to gain — it is forbidden, for that is as buying and selling. And even so, one does not rebuke women and children: better that they be inadvertent than deliberate.
Seif ו
אסור לשאוב מים בגלגל גזירה שמא ימלא לגנתו וחורבתו או למשרה של פשתן לפיכך אם לא היה שם לא גינה ולא חורבה ולא בריכה לשרות בה פשתן מותר ויש אומרים שלא אסרו אלא בגלגל גדול שמוציא מים הרבה ביחד בלא טורח והם גלגלים הקבועים בהם דליים הרבה סביב אבל גלגלים שלנו שאין ממלאים בהם אלא מעט מותר דליכא למיחש למידי:
Translation: it is forbidden to draw water with a wheel (galgal — waterwheel) — by decree, lest one fill his garden, his ruin, or a flax-soaking pool [acts close to sowing/plowing]. Therefore, if there is neither garden, nor ruin, nor flax-soaking pool there, it is permitted. And some say that they forbade only the large wheel that draws much water at once without effort — the kind with many buckets fixed around it; but our wheels, which draw only a little, are permitted, for there is nothing to be concerned about.
What this seif says:
- Forbidden to draw water with a wheel — by decree, lest he draw for his garden, his waste ground, or his flax-steeping.
- Therefore if there was there neither garden nor waste ground nor pool for steeping flax — it is permitted.
- And some say they forbade only the large wheel, which brings up much water at once without labour — those with many buckets fixed round about — but our wheels, with which one draws only a little, are permitted.
Seif ז
מי שיש לו פירות בראש הגג ורואה מטר שבא אסור לשלשלם בשבת דרך ארובה שבגג אבל מותר לכסותן ואפי' לבנים שהם מוקצים מותר לכסותן מפני הדלף:
Translation: one who has fruit on the roof and sees rain coming — it is forbidden to lower them on Shabbos through the skylight [excessive exertion]; but it is permitted to cover them; and even with bricks, which are muktzeh, it is permitted to cover them [against the leak] — for protecting from a loss permits it.
What this seif says:
- One who has fruit on the roof and sees rain coming: forbidden to lower them on Shabbat through the roof's opening.
- But permitted to cover them — and even with bricks, which are מוקצה, it is permitted to cover them because of the leak.
Seif ח
מותר ליתן כלי תחת הדלף בשבת ואם נתמלא שופכו ומחזירו למקומו והוא שיהא הדלף ראוי לרחיצה אבל אם אינו ראוי אסור משום שאין עושין גרף של רעי לכתחלה ואם נתן כלי תחת דלף שאינו ראוי לרחיצה מותר לטלטלו במים המאוסים שבו :
Translation: it is permitted to place a vessel under a leak [of water] on Shabbos; and if it fills up, one empties it and returns it to its place — provided the water is fit for washing (usable). But if it is not, it is forbidden, for one does not create a graf shel re'i (a receptacle of filth) lechatchilah. However, if one has [already] placed a vessel under unusable leaking water, it is permitted to move it with the repulsive water in it.
Full text: these 8 seifim constitute the entirety of the Mechaber's codification of this topic. Each one specifies a case, a condition, or an exception.
What this seif says:
- Permitted to set a vessel under a leak on Shabbat; and if it fills, he empties it and returns it to its place.
- And this provided the leak be fit for washing; but if it is not — forbidden, because one does not make a chamber vessel at the outset.
- And if he set a vessel under a leak unfit for washing — permitted to move it with the foul water in it.
2. The general context
What is this siman about?
Siman של״ח deals with acts forbidden on Shabbos because of producing sound (השמעת קול). The underlying mechanism is unexpected: producing a sound is not a melachah — but making music is forbidden "lest one repair a musical instrument" (שמא יתקן כלי שיר), which would be makeh be-patish. The siman then extends to other concerns: filling a field, throwing a pebble.
The logic of the siman: the whole siman rests on precautionary decrees. The deciding criterion for sound: is it "in the manner of song" (דרך שיר) — then forbidden — or a mere utilitarian noise — then permitted. And: is the instrument dedicated to producing this sound?
Place in Hilchos Shabbos
Siman של״ח prepares siman של״ט (clapping, dancing, weddings), to which it explicitly refers. The underlying melachah feared is makeh be-patish (finishing an object — here repairing an instrument).
3. The key halachic concepts
Four concepts structure the 8 seifim:
The key concepts of siman של״ח:
- השמעת קול דרך שיר — producing a sound in the manner of song: forbidden (shema yesakein kli shir); a utilitarian noise — permitted.
- כלי המיוחד לכך — a dedicated instrument for producing this sound (a knocker): forbidden even without intending song.
- שמא יתקן כלי שיר — the underlying decree: "lest one repair the instrument" (a toladah of makeh be-patish).
- גזירות מסתעפות — derived decrees: not driving off birds by clapping (shema yizrok tzror), not drawing water with a waterwheel (shema yemalei).
The key question for sound: "is it music, or a mere noise?" — singing, playing an instrument, beating in rhythm: forbidden; knocking on the door, whistling with the mouth: permitted. And a dedicated instrument remains forbidden even without musical intent.
4. Breakdown of the seifim — one by one
| Seifim | Theme | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| א-ג | Sound and music | Instrument / song forbidden; utilitarian noise permitted; clock set before Shabbos |
| ד-ה | Driving off, playing | No rhythmic clapping; no rolling games on the ground (depressions) |
| ו | Drawing from a waterwheel | Forbidden (shema yemalei his field); small wheels permitted |
| ז-ח | Fruit in the rain, a leak | Cover yes, lower no; a vessel under a leak |
Method of reading: for each seif — (1) which sound or act; (2) is it "in the manner of song" / a dedicated instrument; (3) which decree is at play; (4) conclusion.
5. The Mishnah Berurah — first entries
The Mishnah Berurah of Rabbi Yisroel Meir Kagan (Chofetz Chaim) has 33 entries on this siman. Here are the first ones — to better understand the meaning of the seifim:
משנה ברורה (א) — (א) בכלי שיר - לאו דוקא בכלי שיר אלא אף ביד כגון להכות כף אל כף היכא שהוא דרך שמחה ושיר אסור כמ״ש בסימן של״ט ס״ג מטעם שמא יתקן כלי שיר [ומה דאסרו בס״ד להכות כף אל כף כשמשמר הפירות כדי להבריח העופות אף שהוא אינו דרך שיר הטעם שמא יטול צרור ויזרוק לר״ה כשירצה להבריחם וכדמפרש שם] ואם ירצה להכות כף אל כף כדי לשמח התינוק ולהשתיקו יראה לעשות זה כלאחר יד דשרי וכמו שמבואר שם. ואם נותן מים בכלי מלא נקבים לה…
משנה ברורה (ב) — (ב) אבל להקיש וכו' - ר״ל אף שכונתו להשמיע קול כדי שיפתחו לו מותר ואפילו אם מקיש בכלי כיון שאינו דרך שיר:
משנה ברורה (ג) — (ג) אלו שקורין לחבריהם וכו' - היינו אפילו אם מנעים הקול כעין שיר שרי דלא גזרו בזה היכי דעביד בפה:
The Mishnah Berurah broadens the scope: the prohibition targets not only instruments, but also the body — clapping one hand against the other rhythmically, in the manner of song is forbidden, for the same reason ("lest one repair an instrument"). But knocking on the door so that it be opened — even with an object — is permitted, since it is not "in the manner of song." And to calm or quiet a child, one may clap kil'achar yad (in an unusual manner).
For the full text of the 33 entries: Mishnah Berurah 338.
6. The position of the Rema
The Rema scatters practical glosses throughout this siman:
The Rema's glosses:
- Seif א: what does not involve an act [with an instrument] is permitted — whistling with the mouth, yes; the dedicated door knocker, no.
- Seif ב: nowadays we tolerate having a non-Jew play at weddings, for the honor of the chosson and kallah.
- Seif ה: rolling nuts: forbidden on the ground, permitted on a table; playing for money is forbidden (like commerce).
7. Modern practical cases
| Situation | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Singing, humming | The voice alone is permitted — the prohibition targets instruments and "musical" rhythm with an object. |
| Clapping in rhythm, tapping on the table musically | Forbidden (דרך שיר) — decree "lest one repair an instrument." |
| Doorbell, knocker, knocking on the door | Knocking with the hand: permitted. A dedicated bell / knocker: forbidden. |
| Calming a baby by gentle patting | Tolerated if done in an unusual manner (kil'achar yad); not in musical rhythm. |
For halachah lema'aseh, consult your Rav — particularly regarding clapping during zemiros at the table and wedding customs.
8. Practical summary of the Siman
Siman של״ח in 5 rules:
- No music — an instrument or rhythm "in the manner of song" — the decree "shema yesakein kli shir."
- Utilitarian noise permitted — knocking on the door with the hand, whistling with the mouth.
- Dedicated instrument (knocker) — forbidden even without musical intent.
- Prepare before Shabbos what will run on its own (a chiming clock).
- Derived decrees — no clapping to chase birds, no waterwheel.
9. Comprehension questions
Check your understanding:
- Why is making music forbidden on Shabbos — what is the underlying decree?
- What is the deciding criterion — דרך שיר or utilitarian noise (seif א)?
- Why is the dedicated door knocker forbidden while knocking with the hand is permitted?
- May one sing on Shabbos? And clap in rhythm?
- Why does one not drive off birds by clapping (seif ד)?
- Why is drawing water with a waterwheel forbidden (seif ו)?
To go further
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