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Tapping on Glass on Shabbos

Can somebody tap a drinking glass on Shabbos to make a noise before speaking so the crowd will quiet down?

Answer:

It is permitted to tap on a glass on Shabbos to quiet down a crowd.

Sources:

The Gemara (Eiruvin 104a) cites a dispute between Rav Menashe (and Ulla) who forbids any production of sound, including tapping on a table (for instance), and Rava who only forbids making music.

In fact, the Yerushalmi (Beitzah 5:2) tells of Rabbi Ila’a who arrived home late at night on Shabbos (Friday night), and called his family to open the door. The family members did not hear him, and because he was stringent concerning producing a sound (by knocking on the door), he slept outside.

The Beis Yosef (338:1) quotes the Rif and Rambam (23:4) who rule according to Rava, and infers from the Rosh (10:20) that he also rules leniently in this matter. However, the Rosh and Tur (338:1) quote Rabbanu Chananel who is stringent (according to Rav Menashe), and this is also the ruling of the Vilna Gaon.

In practice, the Shulchan Aruch (338:1) is lenient, and other poskim follow his ruling (see Mishnah Berurah 2-3; Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasah 28:41).

Note that the above does not apply to producing a rhythmic beat, or to producing music; these are forbidden on account of the decree lest one fix a musical instrument on Shabbos (Beitzah 36b; Shulchan Aruch 338:1; 339:3).

Tapping on a glass to quiet down a crowd does not involve the production of “music;” nor is it done in a rhythmical way, to accompany music. Therefore, it is permitted (see also Menuchas Ahavah Vol. 3, Chap. 24, no. 23).

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