Chapter 88:14
Laws of Muktzeh on Shabbos
14. [If one inadvertently left an article that is muktzeh on top of an
article that is not muktzeh or it fell there on Shabbos], and one has no
need for the article upon which the muktzeh was left, it is forbidden to be
carried [with the muktzeh on it] (1).
Therefore, it is forbidden to carry a child who is holding a stone or some
other muktzeh item in his hand, even within a private domain.
If the child is very attached [to the adult], to the extent that if he is
not picked up he might make himself ill, and it is impossible to dislodge
the stone from his hand because he will scream and cry, then it is
permissible to pick him up while he is holding the stone within a private
domain (2).
[Different laws apply] if the child is holding a coin (3). In this
instance, it is forbidden even to hold his hand while walking, even within
a private domain (4). [This prohibition applies even if the child] is very
attached [to the adult], because we are concerned that if the coin falls
from the child's hand, the adult will forget that it is shabbos and pick up
the coin, thereby handling muktzeh in a direct manner. [Picking up a child
holding a coin is forbidden even] if it is possible that the child might
make himself sick [due to the crying], because no danger to the child's
life will result from not being carried (5).
FOOTNOTES:
(1) Carrying a muktzeh item on top of a non-muktzeh item is called "titul
min hatzad" ("indirect movement"); the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch only permits
this method of moving muktzeh, if it is for the sake of the non-muktzeh
item. However, one can rely on those who permit it even for the sake of the
muktzeh item itself ("Muktzeh; A Practical Guide" by Rav S.B Cohen).
(2) The following is a quote from "Muktzeh; A Practical Guide" by Rav S.B
Cohen, pg 42: "If the child does not want to drop the muktzeh object and
will become VERY (appears in italics) upset if he is left alone, one is
permitted to carry the child [with the muktzeh object in his hand]."
(3) Or any valuable item that the adult might be inclined to pick up if it
were dropped by the child.
(4) Others disagree, and rule that it is permissible to hold the child's
hand while walking. It is best to follow the stringent view, unless there
is a pressing need (See Biur Halacha 309:1). However, all agree that it is
permissible for a parent to hold the hand of a child who is holding a
non-valuable muktzeh object.
(5) Obviously, if the child might make himself slightly ill if he is not
carried, then the coin should be shaken out of his hand, and the child
picked up.
