The seventh day of the week and a day of rest. Also use this tag for questions that apply equally to Yom Tov and Shabbat.
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3answers
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Implications of Samoa skipping a Friday
This week, the island of Samoa is switching time zones, causing it to skip from Thursday directly to Saturday. Out of simple curiosity, what implications might this have on any Jews on the island? ...
30
votes
4answers
676 views
How do we know that the civil Saturday is the correct Shabbat?
Disclaimer: I am not a religious Jew, this question is only out of curiosity.
I understand that observant Jews observe Shabbat from Friday night to Saturday. And from this question and this it seems ...
23
votes
3answers
1k views
Forbidden actions and the role of non-Jews
The question I am to ask is related to personal experience I've had but can be easily broadened. I am really asking for the sake of broadening my knowledge, and I apologize if any part of my question ...
21
votes
3answers
538 views
May one use a computer script to do something specifically on Shabbos/Yom Tov?
May one run a program or machine that will operate on Shabbos, either by setting a timer to activate once Shabbos has started, or by leaving it running continually? What if the action is one that is ...
20
votes
2answers
358 views
Can a gentile break shabbos only on a Rabbinic level?
A non-Jew is forbidden from observing Shabbos. When someone is in the process of converting, we advise them to keep the entire Shabbos besides for doing one forbidden activity. A common practice is to ...
18
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3answers
454 views
The Fanatic Badge
Here on Mi Yodeya, one can earn the "Fanatic" badge for visiting the site for 100 consecutive days.
Is it halachically possible to earn the fanatic badge in the Diaspora?
18
votes
3answers
706 views
bicycle on Shabbat?
Is riding a bicycle on Shabbat permitted within an eiruv, being ridden only on pavement (so no unintended plowing), for transportation and not exercise, and with the understanding that repairs aren't ...
17
votes
5answers
1k views
Is it a discouraged or an unacceptable practice for a Gentile to keep the Sabbath?
According to Jewish Law and tradition, is it acceptable, discouraged or totally unacceptable for a Gentile to keep the Sabbath according to the regulations spelled out in the Torah and the Talmud and ...
17
votes
2answers
614 views
Riding the Subway on Shabbat
Assuming that there are no problems regarding paying for it (either you entered the system before Shabbat, or a non-Jew paid for you):
What are the halakhic issue with riding the subway on Shabbat? ...
17
votes
3answers
592 views
Can you bowl on shabbos?
In the movie the Big Lebowski Walter explains that he is shomer shabbos and that he can't "roll" (meaning bowl) on shabbos. My question is, if he were able to get to the alley without violating ...
17
votes
1answer
267 views
Setting aside Shabbat to answer the President's call
In an old MSNBC news story about Jack Lew, a Shabbat-observant Jew who was just appointed to be the new White House Chief of Staff, there's a story about his getting a call from President Clinton when ...
17
votes
3answers
239 views
Will Tisha B'Av be pushed off in the future?
We have a tradition that Tisha B'Av will become a holiday in the time of Moshiach. Will that holiday also be nidcheh if it comes out on Shabbos?
16
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5answers
1k views
Are you allowed to save a non-Jew's life on shabbos?
Is a Jew allowed to violate shabbos to save a non-Jew's life?
15
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5answers
349 views
Why do music tapes and CDs warn about playing on Shabbos?
I have seen written on almost every music CD and Cassette Tape that I have in my house the line:
Please do not play on Shabbos and Yom Tov
I've always wondered if this is really necessary. Does ...
15
votes
3answers
215 views
Can I cause a Melacha to happen in a place where Shabbat has already started?
For example, if I live in New York, could I send a fax (causing the machine to print a document) to Israel on Friday afternoon, before it is Shabbat for me, but after Shabbat has started there?
15
votes
2answers
576 views
Why can't electricity be manipulated on Shabbat?
Why can't we use and change electricity on Shabbat and YomTov? By this I mean why can't we turn on and off lights...?
I'v heard Rabbis say that its because you can't complete a circuit on Shabbat, ...
14
votes
4answers
594 views
14
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3answers
412 views
Am I allowed to fly from Australia on Motzei Shabbos?
If I take off from Melbourne on Motzei Shabbos, I will hit the Date-Line, loose a day, and end up flying on Shabbos for a short period of time until the sun catches up again. Am I allowed to do this?
...
14
votes
5answers
1k views
Is using a Kindle on Shabbat permitted?
A Kindle is an e-book reader that uses "e-ink" rather than an LCD screen. It has physical controls to turn pages. If left unused it enters a sleep mode, and you can return to reading by moving a ...
14
votes
3answers
211 views
May a Katan (minor) perform Melachah (“work”) on Shabbath?
In my experience, I've noticed that many people take for granted that if one needs a Melachah to be performed on Shabbath, one may have a minor, especially one under the age of 3, perform what is ...
13
votes
2answers
255 views
How do you handle possible Shabbat issues when receiving a jury summons?
The last time I was summoned for jury duty it was mid-week in January, and I made a point of telling the lawyers during questioning that I would have to be home before sunset on Friday. They were not ...
13
votes
2answers
170 views
Lechem Mishneh by the Third Shabbos Meal
Is one required to have Lechem Mishneh by the Third Shabbos Meal?
13
votes
2answers
312 views
Escalator on Shabbos
Escalators: Are they allowed to be used on Shabbos or not?
(and the reasons behind it)
13
votes
2answers
287 views
13
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3answers
168 views
Using Post-its on Shabbos
Is one permitted on Shabbos to use post-it notes or adhesive page flags to mark content in a book for future reference after Shabbos? Would there be an issue with the adhesive or leaving the page ...
12
votes
4answers
539 views
Why do people frequently change tunes toward the end of Lecha Dodi?
Frequently, perhaps even most of the time, I've noticed that the chazan (prayer leader) for Kabalat Shabbat switches tunes for the last four verses of Lecha Dodi. Is there any reason for this, or are ...
12
votes
2answers
309 views
Where did “shabat shalom” come from?
What is the source for the greeting "שבת שלום"?
Where is it earliest attested in print?
What does it mean?
12
votes
5answers
356 views
using two plastic cups for Kiddush
I know making kiddush with a plastic cup is problematic because of requirements. I have seen people using two plastic cups: what is the source for this and is it legitimate?
12
votes
2answers
332 views
Bootstrapping problem: havdalah ends shabbat (for one who didn't daven ma'ariv) but lighting the candle is melacha?
This answer to a question about melacha before havdalah notes that in that situation one should say "baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol" first. Does that apply to lighting the havdalah candle? I ...
12
votes
2answers
124 views
The custom of adding a candle for each child
Many people, including myself, added or will add a candle on Friday night for each child that is born. Where and when did this custom originate?
12
votes
2answers
270 views
Are you allowed to benefit from an electrical appliance turned on during shabbos?
If a jewish person were to accidentally turn on the light in their bedroom, or if the television were accidentally turned on (for these purposes, let's assume that the person in question woke up, ...
12
votes
3answers
290 views
What is the status of a pull-apart challah for “lechem mishneh”?
On Shabbat, we're supposed to begin the meals with two whole loaves - "Lechem Mishneh." According to Shmirat Shabbat KeHilchato as quoted in the article linked above, "If two loaves bake together in ...
12
votes
2answers
320 views
Cooking water on Shabas renders the pot non-kosher?
The halacha (SA OC 318) generally is that if someone cooks food b'mezid (on purpose) on Shabas then he may not eat it, not even after Shabas.
Magen Avraham adds that the pot in which the food was ...
11
votes
4answers
1k views
Making seltzer/soda water on Shabbat or Yom Tov
Can a person make seltzer on shobbos or yom tov with something like sodastream?
11
votes
4answers
306 views
Clapping on Shabbos
Is one allowed to clap one's hands on Shabbos? Does it matter whether one is clapping to a beat or trying to get someone's attention?
11
votes
4answers
234 views
Are Twist-ties allowed to be used on Shabbos?
A twist tie is a metal wire that is encased in a thin strip of paper or plastic and is used to tie the openings of bags, such as garbage bags or bread bags. A twist tie is used by wrapping it around ...
11
votes
3answers
179 views
I heard not to say “Good Shabbos” after mincha. Is it true, and what defines mincha?
I heard from somewhere that, on Shabbos, one does not say "Good Shabbos" after mincha. I am not sure whether it's in a halacha sefer somewhere (I tried looking) or just a minhag.
First of all, is ...
11
votes
3answers
436 views
Inviting a non-observant Jew on Shabbat or Yom Tov
Can I invite a Jew for a meal on Shabbat or Yom Tov if I know they will drive to my house?
11
votes
4answers
1k views
What do you do if you forgot to turn off the refrigerator light before Shabbat?
The first time you open a fridge on Shabbat, you notice the light is on. Your intention is to take out food, not turn on the light. Is closing the fridge a problem? Can I open it again? Is it better ...
11
votes
3answers
191 views
Are souls in Gehinom (purgatory) spared from suffering on Yom Tov?
The Zohar (quoted here), says that the souls that are undergoing the painful cleansing process of Gehenom (purgatory, hell, see here), are given respite during the 24 hours of Shabbat.
This idea is ...
11
votes
4answers
438 views
Shoveling snow on Shabbos
Regardless of snows muktza status on shabbos, is there an issue in shoveling snow from a paved walk?
At worst:
If snow is muktza, you are doing tiltul min hatzad letzurach davr mutar since you need ...
11
votes
4answers
194 views
Commencing Shabbos: Shkiya behind a mountain
It is common practice nowadays for Shuls to publish the zmanim (times) to begin Shabbos (the Sabbath) and other activities. These times, it would seem, are based upon standard calculations of sunrise ...
11
votes
2answers
311 views
Why does writing on Shabbos need two letters?
In order to transgress "writing" (כותב) on Shabbos, (m'd'oraysah) one must write two letters. (See for example here.)
Why is this so? Shouldn't writing anything still be considered writing?
For ...
11
votes
2answers
178 views
Does everyone have to drink the Kiddush wine?
When making Kiddush, does everyone who is yotzei have to drink the wine or grape juice, or is merely hearing it enough?
In my experience, it appears that Friday nights everyone is careful to drink, ...
11
votes
5answers
429 views
Halakhic International Date Line issues
According to halakha, where is the international date line?
More specifically, I have heard that some people say you should observe Shabbat on Sunday in Japan & New Zealand and/or on Friday in ...
11
votes
1answer
309 views
Kiddush between 6 and 7 o'clock - Which clock?
Many people hold that one should not make kiddush on Shabbos between the hours of 6 and 7. (Sources: Shulchan Aruch Harav and Taamei Haminhagim, (who, in turn, bring a Maharil, a Magen Avraham, and a ...
11
votes
3answers
367 views
In regards to writing, can soda bottles be opened on Shabbos?
Specifically, when the writing - such as an expiration date - is printed in dot matrix style across the line between the bottle cap and the bottle cap's ring, what are the issues involved in opening ...
11
votes
2answers
149 views
Gap zip up sweatshirt Kesivah on Shabbos?
Does zippering up a sweatshirt like this one, which when zippering causes the letter A to become a letter create a problem of Kesivah on Shabbos? Is an Old Navy sweatshirt where the word Old is on one ...
11
votes
2answers
165 views
If you realize you're carrying on Shabbat, what's the best thing to do?
I've heard that you should put it down on a makom patur while still walking. However, a true makom patur is tall and skinny, like a post, and therefore possibly difficult to find.
I've also heard ...
11
votes
2answers
211 views
Is it forbidden to wear a snap-brim Borsolino fedora on Shabbos?
The Talmud, at Shabbos 138b, presents the opinion that one may not wear a siyana -- which Rashi defines as a wide-brimmed hat -- on Shabbos if it has a brim that is one tefach (hand-bredth) wide ...
