We are beginning siman 12. The Chayei Adam discusses a Gemara which we include in Kabbolas Shabbos, when we recite Bameh Madlikin. The Gemara says that a person has a chiyuv to check their pockets on erev Shabbos in order to avoid leaving something inadvertently in their pockets and carrying it.
The Chayei Adam writes that one must check their pockets for items they may have inadvertently forgotten. For example, if one is a tailor, they should check for needles that they may have inadvertently dug into the fabric of their clothing. The Gemara adds that in a situation where one may have stuck such items into their clothing, they must check their entire garment before Shabbos.
The Chayei Adam adds that one must also be concerned that there may be something muktzah in their pockets, so one needs to check their pockets in order to avoid carrying muktzah around, even if they do not plan to carry outside of an eruv. The Gemara does not discuss the second concern, of carrying something muktzah. The Chayei Adam, coming off of the Magen Avraham, adds this concern (muktzeh) to the concern of carrying outside of an eruv.
If a person finds something muktzah in their pockets, they should not touch the item, because it is muktzah. They should try to remove the muktzah item without touching it, such as shaking it out. If the item is valuable, and one is concerned about shaking it out in an unsafe place, they can walk to a safe place and shake it out there (assuming there is an eruv).
There is a concept known as bosis, that something which supports muktzah, and is supporting the muktzah with intent, becomes muktzah as well. If so, the pocket becomes muktzah as well. Even though the pocket is a part of a larger garment, when the pocket is its own freestanding piece of fabric (as many pockets are), the garment and the pocket are considered separate entities. If the pocket is not its own piece of fabric, but is created with the fabric of the garment, the entire garment becomes a bosis and becomes muktzah. However, if a person did not place the item in the pocket with the intention that it remain through Shabbos, or it was placed there by someone else, the pocket does not become muktzah.
We will clarify these halachos further in the upcoming shiur, be’ezras Hashem.
Summary
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One must check their pockets, or possibly their entire garment, before Shabbos. The reason is to avoid carrying muktzah items, and to avoid carrying even non-muktzah items outside of an eruv.
Pesach 5783
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