Q. Kvod Horav. As it happened to various of our neighbors after the severe storm last Shabbos some of our trees fell. One fallen tree was blocking the entry to our front yard and home, since we are surrounded by bushes.
We could not go to shul without pushing the blocking tree away and we did so by pushing it, all together with our backs, (we have B’H a large family). We did so understanding that doing it with our backs would be considered as ‘Tiltul Min Hatza’ad’ or an indirect way of handling it and we would not transgress on the prohibition on Muktzah.
However, we had later some concern that since the tree was still partially attached to the ground, maybe we transgressed on the prohibition of further cutting off the tree. Since after all that was not our intention (Dovor Sheino Miskaven) and it was not a certainty (P’sik Reisha), was that permitted?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in principle it seems you are correct, as you appear to have good knowledge of the Halachos of Shabbos, and you would be aware that it was not a P’sik Reisha.
One may add for permission the fact that it was also an act done by many
.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a.