Tell me more ×
Mi Yodeya is a question and answer site for those who base their lives on Jewish law and tradition and anyone interested in learning more. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 2 down vote favorite

Are you allowed to put an envelope in your personal mailbox that will be picked up on Shabbos or Yom Tov?

share|improve this question
This question would be much improved if you'd indicate why you think it might be forbidden. – msh210♦ Apr 1 '12 at 18:57

1 Answer

up vote 2 down vote

I have never asked a posek, but I have done so since I do not specify a need for it to be picked up on Shabbos, and Sunday works just as well. The post office chooses their own time to pick up the mail (Its their preference to pick up on Saturday, not Sunday) so they are doing melacha on Shabbos for themselves.

Claiming that placing the mail there or raising the flag is similar to a command would mean I am not allowed to drop off my clothes at a launderer if I know for sure he's going to clean them on Shabbos, yet this restriction is not stipulated in the halachic sources.

I know of one rav who went into the post office on Friday to send an overnight letter (which would be a problem) and tried having a conversation with a confused postal worker about how he didn't want it delivered until Sunday!

share|improve this answer
1  
Can you order a pick up for Yom Tov? – Gershon Gold Oct 3 '10 at 3:01
I don't think so and probably not erev yom tov, either. When you place your mail outside, everyone knows you didn't ask the mailman to specifically deliver your mail on Shabbos. When the mailman does a special pick-up, that is similar to Shulchan Aruch 247:3. In that case, since there was a purchase of service on Fiday and all saw the mail guy start the service on Shabbos, it looks like the sender requested the service for Shabbos, despite his not caring when it gets delivered. – YDK Oct 3 '10 at 4:06

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.