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.
11
votes
2answers
252 views
Starbucks VIA on shabbat
Someone recently mentioned in a conversation about making/ not making tea on shabbat with a tea bag, that the Starbucks VIA coffee is micro-ground vs how ever regular instant coffee is made and that ...
11
votes
2answers
323 views
Can you remove a sticker from fruit on shabbos?
Is there a problem removing a sticker that was on your apple, orange, etc. on Shabbos?
11
votes
2answers
418 views
Am I allowed to view a Kotel Cam on Shabbos?
If there is a camera in Israel that is operating on Shabbos, am I (a person living in America, where Shabbos only starts 6 or 7 hours later) allowed to view such a camera?
I suppose the same could be ...
10
votes
2answers
261 views
Are disposable cups allowed for Kiddush or Havdalah?
If one doesn't have a non-disposable cup or becher available, can s/he use a disposable cup? Are there any specific types (plastic, styrofoam, paper...) of disposable cups allowed, or is any cup okay ...
10
votes
3answers
172 views
Flexibility in choice of verses for morning Kiddush
The morning Kiddush on Shabbat and holidays consists of one or more Torah verses followed by the blessing on the wine (or perhaps other beverage). I have seen in print and in practice various ...
10
votes
2answers
234 views
Rice in a salt shaker
Is there allowed to be rice in a salt shaker on shabbat or yom tov?
Background: I was under the impression that the answer to this question is no, as for something not to be considered בורר ...
10
votes
3answers
324 views
When does somebody living in space (e.g. ISS) observe Shabbat?
I understand that Jewish astronauts have been advised to observe Shabbat by Cape Canaveral time, by analogy with traveling to a place that doesn't have daily sunrise/sunset where some rule you use the ...
10
votes
2answers
196 views
Does an Early Shabbos mean Early Meat before Tish'a B'Av?
If one makes an early Shabbos in the nine days, does that mean s/he can eat meat earlier?
10
votes
2answers
174 views
Reading secular books on shabbat?
Which prominent halakhic authorities permit (or forbid) the reading of secular books, magazines, and newspapers from Friday evening until Saturday nightfall? Why? Is it uvda dechol? What if it is ...
10
votes
2answers
381 views
Is Exercise on Shabbos Allowed?
Is one allowed to do exercises on Shabbos?
Are any types allowed? Some examples of different types:
Lifting weights or heavy items
Jumping jacks
Taking a walk (long, but without Techum issues)
...
10
votes
2answers
282 views
40 minutes offset for candle lighting?
Several Zmanim apps are giving a choice on my "candle lighting offset". The default here is 40 minutes instead of the usual 18 minutes I've heard.
Why 40? Why do I even have a choice?
Does the fact ...
10
votes
3answers
245 views
Glow sticks on Shabbos
May one activate a glow stick on Shabbos? (In other words, is there a prohibition on activating the chemical reaction which produces the light in a glow stick?)
10
votes
2answers
326 views
Wearing Watches on Shabbat
What is a watch one can wear on shabbat?
There are the analogue quartz watches with just one crown to adjust the time that (as far as I'm aware) most people would wear on shabbat (especially an ...
10
votes
2answers
272 views
Who didn't recite Kabbalas Shabbos?
In this article, R. Michael Broyde writes that:
Indeed, there have been prominent halachic authorities of the last generation who did not recite Kabbalat Shabbat.
Can anyone provide examples of ...
10
votes
1answer
148 views
May one reheat food on top of a crock-pot or urn on Shabbos?
According to my understanding cooked or baked food that is currently cold, may be placed on top of a pot that is on a blech on Shabbos to warm up.
What about putting cooked or baked foods on top of ...
10
votes
1answer
233 views
When does a day start/end in the far North/South?
As I understand it, a day in the Jewish calendar is from sunset to sunset. How is this handled if you are living so far north or south that you have long periods of daylight or darkness?
10
votes
1answer
131 views
Ana B'choach - Private prayer or Sing-Along song?
Many people have the custom to recite the prayer "Ana B'choach" after the initial six chapters of Tehillim said in Kabbalas Shabbos and before "Lecha Dodi". Based on the fact that it references ...
10
votes
3answers
362 views
Tying a Tie on Shabbos
How should one tie a tie on Shabbos (or yom tov) so that it doesn't have any knot problems?
In other words there are lots of ways to tie a tie. I was wondering which of these are okay for use on ...
10
votes
3answers
173 views
Who distributed the zemiros across the three meals?
Any book of zemiros whether it's a siddur, birchon, or what have you divides the zemiros between the three meals. Sometimes the rationale is obvious as with the tikkunim which are written for each ...
10
votes
1answer
636 views
Using a plata on Shabbat
I have a plata--an electric warming tray that does not have knobs or adjustments. I can leave it plugged in throughout Shabbat. I want to use it correctly when I have guests and to up my observance.
...
10
votes
1answer
129 views
Overhead projector on Shabbos?
A discussion came up with some guests over shabbos. One asked if one could use an overhead projector on Shabbos if it was turned on from before, i.e. could one put a new plastic sheet on it or not? In ...
9
votes
4answers
389 views
Is the observance of Jewish law/tradition “all or nothing”?
Sometimes my job gets in the way of my observance of Jewish holidays. I often need to work on Saturdays or late on Fridays, inhibiting my ability to attend synagogue on Shabbat. Sometimes I am ...
9
votes
4answers
405 views
If the last day of Passover is Friday, may I eat chametz on the Shabbat right after?
This year, 5772, the last day of Pesach in Israel is on Friday. Is there any possible way that one could contrive to eat chometz on the shabbos immediately following Pesach?
9
votes
2answers
252 views
Why is it ok to use tap water/toilets on Shabbos? Considering the source of the water pressure
Why is it ok to use tap water/toilets on Shabbos? Considering the source of the water pressure.
The water pressure that enables the water to flow out of the tap has to come from somewhere. It is ...
9
votes
2answers
214 views
Deliveries on Shabbos
This is a two-part question:
What do you do if while you are at home during Shabbos, someone knocks at your door, and when you open it a delivery person (UPS/FedEx/USPS/DHL etc.) hands you a package ...
9
votes
2answers
248 views
Latest shabbat not longest day…?
I was under the impression that the longest day was June 22nd, and yet, year after year- the latest time for candle lighting takes place about a week and a half after that. Intuitively, the latest ...
9
votes
2answers
198 views
Using an oven timer on Shabbas
This is my first post here.
I'm fairly familiar with cooking on Shabbat, but I have a few specific questions.
I know there are issues with using the warming setting on an oven to keep food warm. ...
9
votes
1answer
108 views
Tzoveah on Shabbos
It is going to sound strange but here is the question In the toilet there are these blue things that clean your bathroom with every flush by adding bleach hence it colors the water blue every time you ...
9
votes
1answer
178 views
When does one become considered shomer shaboss?
Clarification : Mr. X is a orthodox religious Jew. Mr. X has a rebellious phase and violates shaboss. Mr. X later starts keeping the rules again. I'm asking in both cases:
Case 1: Ten people knew ...
9
votes
1answer
272 views
May a lady take a pregnancy test on Shabbos?
Are there any issues with taking a pregnancy test (non-electronic) on Shabbos?
9
votes
2answers
310 views
Can an ecommerce website remain open on Shabbat?
This question is more general and doesn't apply specifically to ecommerce sites even though the discussion mentions them a little.
Specifically, we know we can't do business on Shabbat. So what is ...
9
votes
1answer
101 views
Why are some bakashot made on Shabbat?
As I understand it, we don't make prayers of request (bakashot) on Shabbat (cf Rambam Shabbat 30:12).
For that reason, we omit so many liturgical requests because of shabbos - e.g., Avinu Malkeinu, ...
9
votes
1answer
110 views
Do we say “shabbat shalom” on Tisha b'Av that falls on Shabbat?
Yesterday I said "shabbat shalom" to someone and he said we don't do that on Tisha b'Av that falls on Shabbat. I thought that Shabbat trumps the day (and that's why we move the other observances). ...
9
votes
2answers
166 views
Wearing a gold watch on shabbos without an eiruv
The halocho is a person may wear jewellery in the street on shabbos without an eiruv provided the reason why he is wearing it is for the adornment of it and not some other use. Therefore the poskim ...
9
votes
3answers
655 views
9
votes
1answer
79 views
What is the status of a Kli Shemelachto LeIssur that's only used for Pikuach Nefesh?
What is the status of a kli whose primary use would be forbidden on Shabbos, but it is only used in a case of Pikuach Nefesh. Is it a Kli Shemelachto LeIssur or Kli Shemelachto Leheter?
Examples:
...
8
votes
5answers
349 views
Can you fold a tallis on Shabbos?
What melachah is transgressed by folding a tallis? Is there some way to fold it which is permitted?
8
votes
2answers
321 views
Halachic Considerations for Women in the IDF
For a religious girl going into the IDF very soon, there are a few questions that are often asked:
Especially in active units, wearing a skirt while on base can be a problem:
While crawling, ...
8
votes
1answer
159 views
Are marriages on Shabbat allowed?
I saw a similar question, hope I'm not being redundant.
I wanted to know if marriages on Shabbat are allowed, and if not, where is it said, and why not.
Thanks in advance! It is a pleasure!
8
votes
2answers
399 views
Cooking Cholent Right before Shabbos
Is there anything wrong with putting up a cholent to cook right before Shabbos?
8
votes
2answers
239 views
Non-Yemenites who heat up soup after the start of Shabbat?
The most widely held practice regarding heating up liquids on Shabbat is that it is prohibited, though there are differences of practice between Ashkenazim and Sephardim regarding sauces and such ...
8
votes
3answers
110 views
Are בישול on Shabbos and בישול of Meat and milk the same?
Are the qualifications for being called בישול (cooking) the same for Shabbos (e.g., frying is a question in Halacha if it is recognized as Cooking to say אין בישול אחר בישול - there is no such thing ...
8
votes
3answers
226 views
Why is the Boro Park eiruv controversial?
I know I might be hitting a touchy subject, but I'm prefacing it with this so I can clarify right away: I don't want a Psak, or who holds what. That's for each person to figure out... I just want to ...
8
votes
1answer
109 views
Making a origami creation on shabbos?
Would it be a violation of one of the thirty-nine melachos if someone made a paper airplane or made origami creation on shabbos? (And I know a melacha is loosely translated as "creative work".)
8
votes
1answer
176 views
Veshameru in Chabad siddur
Why do Chabad siddurim always print Veshameru before the Shabbat Ma'ariv Amida, even while also noting that the Chabad custom is not to say it? Are there any groups that use the Chabad Nusach Ari ...
8
votes
1answer
105 views
Early AND Late Shabbos Minyanim
The basic halachah is that when the congregation/community starts Shabbos (Sabbath) early an individual is forbidden to perform melachah (labor) even though Shabbos has not technically begun.
What is ...
8
votes
3answers
263 views
Returning after driving someone to the hospital on Shabbat
if a man needs to be brought to the hospital on Shabbat, and another man brings him, is the second man allowed to go back home by car?
8
votes
1answer
517 views
Blowing bubbles on Shabbos
Is there any halachik problem with blowing bubbles on Shabbos? If so what melacha categories does it fall under? Does the age of the blower matter?
8
votes
1answer
212 views
Shaking a no-battery flashlight on Shabbos
What is the problem with shaking one of the no battery/shaking flashlights which is on on shabbos?
8
votes
2answers
135 views
Matzah eruvin on erev Pesach
An eruv allows Jews to carry within a semi-public space on Shabbat. The space must be bounded by walls and must meet several detailed requirements. The eruv must consist of food for a meal for the ...
