C. General rules that apply to all categories of Muktzah:

1. Changing an object

a. To change a designated object from one category to another, one must:

(1) Intend to use it in that new category permanently, and

(2) Use it in its new function before Shabbat.

For example, if a sheet of expensive stationery paper was folded (permanently) into a paper plane and it was tried once before Shabbat, it is no longer Muktzah and may be used on Shabbat.

Conversely, if one decides to use a small leather bag (which previously held jewelry) as a coin pouch, and it was used once before Shabbat in this new way, this item is now Muktzah and cannot be moved on Shabbat, even if it is presently empty.

b. An object that was Muktzah at the beginning of Shabbat will stay Muktzah for all of Shabbat, even though the reason for its Muktzah status no longer applies. For example, a fruit that fell from a tree during Shabbat remains Muktzah, and may not be eaten.

If, however, a previously-permitted item becomes Muktzah during Shabbat, it will remain Muktzah only as long as the reason for its Muktzah status still exists. For example, a shirt that becomes soaking wet on Shabbat may be moved after it has dried in the summer.

If an object becomes a Bassis on Shabbat, it may be moved when it loses that status (see below).

2. Bassis ("pedestal")

The place on which a Muktzah object is placed becomes subservient to it (Batul -- nullified). This place is called a Bassis, and it gets the same status as the Muktzah object. The Bassis may therefore not be moved, just like the object it serves. However, in order to be defined as a Bassis, all of the following conditions must be met:

a. The Muktzah object was placed there by the owner of the Bassis, or the owner would approve of it being put there.

b. The object was placed there (before Shabbat) with the intention that it remains there at least for some part of Shabbat. If one intended to remove the object before Shabbat, but forgot, the pedestal will not become a Bassis. Similarly, if the object was placed there not because one wanted it there, but because there wasn't another place available at the time, the pedestal does not become a Bassis.

c. The pedestal will only become a Bassis if it serves the Muktzah object(s) alone. It will, therefore, not become a Bassis if it also serves non-Muktzah objects that are of equal or greater value. The value is determined by what is generally more important to the owner. For example, a drawer containing rolls of aluminum foil and a [cheap] package of tissue may not be opened, as it became a Bassis. If there are many items, the item with the greater value (e.g. a wallet) determines the status of the drawer.

Food and Torah books will always be considered of greater value. For example, Challah on a Shabbat table is more important than the candlesticks, even though the candlesticks are of greater monetary value. Therefore, the table may be moved, provided that the Challah was on the table at the onset of Shabbat.

However, the non-Muktzah object must not be something totally out of place -- e.g. Challah placed on a candlestick tray would be considered out of place, and the tray will become a Bassis for the candlesticks rather than for the Challah. However, if a candle-lighting prayer card is put on the candlestick tray, one would be allowed to move the tray (taking into consideration the Halachot of moving Muktzah indirectly, described below).

d. The function of the pedestal is to serve the Muktzah item. If, however the Muktzah serves the object it is lying on top of, then that item will not become a Bassis. For example, pieces of rag (which are Muktzah) placed on top of and around a pot before Shabbat in order to retain its heat, will not make the pot a Bassis to it.

e. The pedestal will not become a Bassis if the Muktzah object is too insignificant to ever make the pedestal Batul to it. Example: a coin placed on a nice table.

Additional Rules:

a. It is prohibited to make an object a Bassis on Shabbat by either placing Muktzah on it, or allowing Muktzah to fall onto it. This is prohibited because the object (which becomes a Bassis) is transformed into a non-usable and non-movable state. Example: placing nutshells in an empty bowl, or placing an empty saucer next to a candle to catch wax drippings. In order to avoid the problem, one should first place some non-Muktzah item (like a spoon) in the bowl.

b. Any pedestal that was a Bassis when Shabbat began remains a Bassis for the duration of Shabbat, since it falls into the category of Muktzah Machmat Issur. If the pedestal was not a Bassis for all of twilight on Friday evening, then it would only be considered a Bassis as long as the Muktzah object remained on it alone. Thus, if Shabbat candles were lit with nothing else on the table, the table is considered a Bassis for the entire Shabbat. Had there been Challah on the table at the time the candles were lit, but some time during Shabbat only the candlesticks remained, one could move the table by placing Challah on it again.

c. Bassis can apply on multiple levels -- e.g. if money is placed in a dish, which is sitting on a tray, which is on a table, then the dish, tray and table all become Muktzah (unless there is something non-Muktzah on the table). However, if the table is covered with a tablecloth, the tablecloth does not become a Bassis, as it is not regarded as "serving the tray."