11

Is there anything wrong with opening up an umbrella indoors according to Jewish tradition?

I have met many people who view it as bad luck or possibly rude.

On the other hand we are commanded not to follow the ways of the Emorites (Darchei Emori), which might apply to taking this kind of 'bad omen' seriously.

Improve this question
3
  • I've heard of it, but I'm 100% sure there is no source.
    – Hacham Gabriel
    Jan 29, 2012 at 15:19
  • 2
    The Brisker Rav has a t'shuva somewhere about an umbrella in a succah (is it an ohel or not), which implies that opening an umbrella indoors is not intrinsically a problem (unless a succah is different than in a house somehow).
    – jake
    Jan 29, 2012 at 15:48
  • 1
    I was going to answer, it's bad luck to break shabbat by opening an umbrella :)
    – avi
    Jan 29, 2012 at 17:59

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
9

Per Rabbi Aviner this is superstition and may be done.

Opening Umbrella Inside Q: Is it unlucky to open an umbrella inside A: Superstition. (but not to be done on Shabbat, as an umbrella is Muktzeh)

Improve this answer
4
  • +1. But I thought you can't open it Shabas because of m'lacha....
    – msh210 ♦
    Jan 29, 2012 at 17:54
  • 1
    @msh210, But because it is a m'lacha to open an umbrella, it is therefore already muktze to even pick it up.
    – jake
    Jan 29, 2012 at 17:58
  • 1
    @jake, I agree, but saying "not to be [opened indoors] on Shabbat, as an umbrella is Muktzeh" would seem to minimize the isur of opening an umbrella. (Can you open it l'tzorech gufo then?)
    – msh210 ♦
    Jan 29, 2012 at 18:00
  • Then would it be forbidden to give credence to this kind of superstition, say by closing an umbrella to escape the 'bad luck'?
    – Michael Sandler
    Jan 30, 2012 at 6:46

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .