Cutting a Branch of Hadasim or a Cluster of Grapes on Shabbat - a podcast by Rabbi Eli J. Mansour

Is it permissible to cut a Hadasim branch into small pieces on Shabbat, in order to distribute it to the people in the synagogue? If a person has Hadasim in the synagogue, and after he recites the Beracha of "Boreh Aseh Besamim" and smells the Hadasim other people wish to do the same, may he cut the branch into sections and give them out? The Kenesset Hagedola (Rabbi Haim Banbenishti, Turkey, 1603-1673) forbade cutting Hadasim branches on Shabbat, but many other authorities disagreed. Based on a passage in Masechet Besa, these authorities maintained that cutting a branch is permissible for this purpose on Shabbat once it has already been uprooted from the ground. Just as Halacha permits rubbing the Hadas branch to extract its fragrance, so does it allow cutting the branch into smaller pieces so that others can smell it. Authorities who follow this lenient view include the Peri Megadim, Rav Haim Ben Atar, Hacham Ben Sion Abba Shaul, and (Yibadel Le'haim Tobim) Hacham Ovadia Yosef. This Halacha applies as well to cutting a cluster of grapes into small sections to be distributed among one's guests. Here, too, Halacha permits cutting the cluster since it has already been removed from the vine. In fact, even the Kenesset Ha'gedola, who, as we saw, forbids cutting a Hadas branch on Shabbat, allows cutting a cluster of grapes into smaller sections. It should be noted, however, that this is permissible only if one cuts the branch or the cluster with his hands; one may not use a knife to cut the branch or cluster on Shabbat. Summary: It is permissible on Shabbat to cut a branch of Hadasim or a cluster of grapes that has already been removed from the ground or vine, provided that one does not use a knife.

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