I read that Rabbi Ovadia Yosef in Yabia Omer 9:108:185 mentioned that cutting Toilet paper on Shabbat is not a Torah prohibition and that he is theoretically lenient about it.
Are we really supposed to pre-cut toilet paper before Shabbat?
4 Comments
Elad Siman-Tov
on December 16, 2025 at 9:10 am
Does the same logic also apply to tearing paper towels?
Can I use dental floss on Shabbat and I so can I cut it on Shabbat as well?
Aaron Abadi
on December 14, 2025 at 9:21 am
This issue has long been debated among halachic authorities. Some rabbis prohibited tearing toilet paper on Shabbat, while others permitted it. Both sides are well aware of the arguments, and this is not a new discussion.
Those who were strict generally viewed tearing toilet paper as falling under kore’a (tearing), which is a prohibited melacha on Shabbat. As a result, the custom developed in many communities to pre-cut toilet paper before Shabbat.
Those who were lenient argued that this case does not fit the definition of a melacha at all. A melacha on Shabbat must be a creative or constructive act. Tearing toilet paper for immediate use does not create anything. You are not forming an object, repairing something, producing a usable item, or making a permanent change. You are simply separating a piece of paper in order to use it and discard it.
This is similar to opening bottles, packages, or wrappers on Shabbat, which is permitted because no new entity is being created. Classic kore’a involves tearing in order to fix, shape, sew, or create something of value. That is not what is happening here.
From a practical standpoint, it is still sensible to place tissues in the bathroom, especially when hosting guests, since not everyone relies on the lenient view. But from a purely halachic perspective, pre-cutting toilet paper before Shabbat is not inherently required, and the practice itself is more a matter of custom than necessity.
Does the same logic also apply to tearing paper towels?
Yes
Can I use dental floss on Shabbat and I so can I cut it on Shabbat as well?
This issue has long been debated among halachic authorities. Some rabbis prohibited tearing toilet paper on Shabbat, while others permitted it. Both sides are well aware of the arguments, and this is not a new discussion.
Those who were strict generally viewed tearing toilet paper as falling under kore’a (tearing), which is a prohibited melacha on Shabbat. As a result, the custom developed in many communities to pre-cut toilet paper before Shabbat.
Those who were lenient argued that this case does not fit the definition of a melacha at all. A melacha on Shabbat must be a creative or constructive act. Tearing toilet paper for immediate use does not create anything. You are not forming an object, repairing something, producing a usable item, or making a permanent change. You are simply separating a piece of paper in order to use it and discard it.
This is similar to opening bottles, packages, or wrappers on Shabbat, which is permitted because no new entity is being created. Classic kore’a involves tearing in order to fix, shape, sew, or create something of value. That is not what is happening here.
From a practical standpoint, it is still sensible to place tissues in the bathroom, especially when hosting guests, since not everyone relies on the lenient view. But from a purely halachic perspective, pre-cutting toilet paper before Shabbat is not inherently required, and the practice itself is more a matter of custom than necessity.