Q. I have some questions regarding electric space heaters we use to heat some rooms in our house and to heat our sukkah.
1) Can they be moved (change position/direction) on Yom Tov and/or Shabbat (if they will not shut off during movement). If not, can they be moved with a shinui (eg. use of foot)?.
A. Mishna Berurah (311: 30) rules that it is permitted to move Muktza with any part of one’s body other than his hands. Therefore, he maintains that one may move Muktza with one’s foot. (308: 13 – 30). Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchoso (22: 36) and others agree. However, Chazon Ish (47: 12), asserts that it is only permitted to move muktza with one's body when its not evident that one's intent is moving Muktza, but not when his primary intent is to do so.
Following most Poskim, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit”a opinion is that electric space heaters could be moved by using one's foot, when being careful not to alter the settings. One should also ascertain that the new orientation or location does not interfere with the temperature setting of the thermostat, e.g. the new position is not colder or warmer than before, and it will thus not activate or turn-off the thermostat.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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