Question:
Regarding what it says in the will of Rebbe Yehuda HaChassid that one is not to move an oven from its place, goyim were painting in my house and they moved the oven from its place and then put it back. What should I do?
Also, if these goyim will come on Yom Tov or Chol Hamoed to paint, should I kick them out?
Answer:
I never heard of people being makpid on this, and it doesn’t seem to be the minhag haolam.
Best wishes
AFAIK, there are many people are strict to fulfill the Ethical Will of Rebbe Yehuda HaChassid (RYH) regarding ovens, However I suggest that the point is moot, since RYH’s will isn’t applicable in the case being asked here.
This is the text of the Will (#49):
לא יתוץ אדם תנור וכריים שאופים בו, להשתמש באותה מקום, אלא יניח אותו לתקן שנית כי סכנה גדולה כל עושה אלה.
RYH is referring to a stove or oven that was built in place, and he posits that one should not DISMANTLE it, even if he needs the space where the stove or oven is currently located, since this could be a cause of great danger.
I posit, that this would not preclude moving a portable stove or oven, like most of our ovens are today, since he’s not dismantling the stove or oven, just MOVING it.
I note, that even if someone would debate my reading of RYH, nevertheless, RYH concludes, that if the stove or oven was in fact dismantled, then the remedy is to rebuild it in its original location. Therefore, in the question that was asked here, since the painters moved the oven back to its place; that would definitely be considered a rectification of the issue, as per RYH.
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