[Avodah] Microphones on Shabbos

[Micha Berger]

On Thu, Aug 05, 2010 at 01:19:48PM -0400, I wrote something that after
an off-line conversation I want to clarify.

: On Thu, Aug 05, 2010 at 06:24:04AM -0700, Harry Maryles wrote:
:: AFAIK there is no Issur melacha in using a microphone on Shabbos...

I replied:
: Most microphones use active elements, and thus generate electricity.
: It is possible if one is aware of it, to set up a PA system that
: "only" violates derabbanans. But that isn't the default, IMHO.

Passive element microphones tend to cost more to get the same quality
sound. So, you end up compromising and getting something that cost only
somewhat more to sound only somewhat worse.

Active element microphones generate electricity, and therefore can
involve melakhos.

Also, if the volume meter is a bar graph of lights, that too would
be a melakhah. (I am adding this point now, I didn't mention it in
the previous post.)

Therefore, unless someone is consciously trying to keep the issur down
to a derabbanan level, I would not assume it's only a derabbanan.

:: Microphones that are on before Shabbos and not touched are no
:: different wrt Melacha than hearing aids which operate on the same
:: principle (amplifying the sound passively). I don't know of any Poskim
:: that prohibit using a hearing aid on Shabbos.

: But one can be meiqil on a derabbanan for kavod haberios that one couldn't
: for stam a microphone.

In a low power device where size in an issue, eg a hearing aid, a passive
element microphone is used. And thus the issues are typically "only" derabbanan.
However, there are differences in purpose that can create differences in
pesaq even for the identical design.

Hearing aids involve kavod haberi'os in a way that a shul's PA system does
not.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             I thank God for my handicaps, for, through them,
micha at aishdas.org        I have found myself, my work, and my God.
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