Sharpening Mohel's Fingernail for Priah on Shabbos

From: Rabbi Moshe Sofer

To: Rabbi Avraham Auerbach

Description

The question is whether a mohel may prepare and sharpen his fingernail on Shabbos to use as an instrument for priah during circumcision. The Chasam Sofer rules this constitutes a full Torah prohibition, classifying it not as mere tikkun but as boneh kli gamur — creating a complete instrument — rendering the mohel liable under makeh b'patish.

Source: Shu"t Chasam Sofer OC §71

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