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On Shabbat, is it permissible to seal an envelope that does not require moistening, ie an envelope that has a PEEL & SEAL flap?

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  • Wouldn't doing so be preparing for after Shabbat, even if it weren't a melacha? – Scimonster Jul 21 '14 at 9:22
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    @Scimonster Depends why you are sealing the envelope. – Double AA♦ Jul 21 '14 at 12:25
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Rambam Hilchos Shabbos 10:11 says that gluing two pieces of paper together on Shabbos is a Toldah (offshoot) of Tofer (the biblical prohibition against sewing on Shabbos).

המדבק ניירות או עורות בקולן של סופרים, וכיוצא בו--הרי זה תולדת תופר וחייב

One who glues pieces of paper or leather to each other with scribe's glue (קולן של סופרים), or anything similar -- this is an offshoot of תופר, and he is liable for it.

Therefore I would conclude, that no matter the method of gluing (whether regular glue, regular envelopes, or "peel & seal" envelopes), gluing paper together is forbidden on Shabbos.

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    @Gershon - wouldn't separating the peel part from the glue also be some type of melacha - a form of tearing? – DanF Jul 21 '14 at 15:01
  • @DanF See that Rambam, the next thing he says in that halacha: "וכן המפרק ניירות דבוקין או עורות דבוקין ולא נתכוין לקלקל בלבד הרי זה תולדת קורע וחייב:" – MTL Jul 21 '14 at 15:04
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    @DanF: I was looking at it as if it was peeled prior to Shabbos and the only thing being done was sealing the envelope. – Gershon Gold Jul 21 '14 at 15:14

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