Daily Halacha - Shabbat Laws, 19th of Av 5777

Is it permissible to assemble a puzzle with letters that connect to form words on Shabbat?

Bringing letters or parts of letters close together to create a complete letter or word does not constitute a prohibition at all, as long as one does not attach them to paper or fabric using a needle, etc. Therefore, it is permissible to open and close the Holy Ark even though it connects letters, and similarly, it is permissible to assemble puzzle pieces [Yalkut Yosef Siman 340].

Is it permissible to pull cotton wool from a package?

It is permissible to pull cotton wool from a package on Shabbat because the connection of cotton wool in the package is not a complete connection, and when pulling a piece of cotton wool, it is considered as separating an already detached item [Chazon Ovadia p. 377].

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