Q. See question (2945) above. I understand from your reply that even placing back loose pieces of the wheelchair can be problematic. In our particular case the feet support plate gave in and father's heavy feet dragged on the floor, and made it impossible to use the chair.
Since no parts are reassembled or placed back, as would be the legs of a chair or bed, only the feet plate was kept from falling to the ground. Was it then acceptable to just secure temporarily the loose feet plate to the wheelchair on Shabbos with the cable zip ties?
A. Chazon Ovadia- (Shabbos, 5, p. 75, quoted by Halacha Yomit), mentions regarding plastic cable ties that; 'there is no prohibition involved and one may use them on Shabbat, for this is not considered a “knot”; rather, the plastic cable is only caught and tightened. The Torah never discussed such a reality and our Sages never banned this kind of action, for this does not resemble the forbidden work of tying at all.'
Horav Shlomo Miller's opinion regarding plastic zip ties is similar. Besides, one could also make one knot with a bow, as when tying shoelaces for the day.
In this particular case the Rov's opinion is that when it is obvious that the fix is only temporary and it is also loose, in case of need, it can be done.
(See similar opinion of the Chazon Ish quoted by Piskei Teshuvos (313: 8). In principle it is important that patients and invalids that depend on particular items such as walkers or wheelchairs, should have replacements easily available, specially for Shabbos).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
