We are at the end of siman 29, and are discussing other points not mentioned by the Chayei Adam. Today, we will discuss separating pages of a book or sefer that are stuck together.
There are three possibilities as to how the pages got stuck together:
- The pages were never fully separated, such that the act of separating them will be the melacha of korea. It is also likely the melacha of mechateich, being that they are getting cut to a proper size. It is also arguably makeh bepatish, because it now makes the sefer fully usable.
- If the paper was cut, but glue or other substances are holding the pages together, the Mishnah Berurah brings that gluing something together unintentionally is not considered tofeir, so separating them is not considered korea.
- If the glue is on the writing, or food got stuck between two pages on the writing, there is a concern that the letters might get erased as the pages are separated, which would be the melacha of mocheik. Additionally, there is discussion whether removing something to expose letters is actually considered koseiv, or is it just the removal of a blockage. Historically, this question came up with wax candles in shul that would fall onto the letters of a Sefer Torah and whether it could be removed on Shabbos.
Even if one is confident they will not erase any letters, one should not separate the pages, due to this discussion about the possibility of kesiva.
Sometimes, when the pages of a book or sefer are cut, the pressure from the cutter presses the pages together, such that when the sefer is opened for the first time, the pages need to be separated. There is no issue of separating the pages in this situation, because they were not pressed together for the intentional purpose of tofeir, so there is no issur of mocheik.
When it comes to pre-cut toilet paper, this issue can come up as well, and it is not a problem to pull them apart. On the other hand, if the toilet paper was not fully cut, and was somewhat connected, separating the pieces would fall under the discussion and options we discussed in the previous shiurim.
Summary
- When separating pages of a book, if the pages were never separated, it is assur.
- If the paper was cut but glued together, it is muttar to separate the pages. However, if the glue is on the letters, it is assur.
- If the pages were stuck together through pressure, it is muttar to separate them. Similarly, it is muttar to separate pieces of pre-cut toilet paper which were pressed together.
