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.
8
votes
2answers
170 views
Blackout restoration on Shabbath - and your food
If you suffer from a blackout on Shabbath, but the power returns on Shabbath, and you have certain food elements cooking, is there a problem of either Nolad or some other issue relating to food that ...
8
votes
2answers
231 views
Lottery on Shabbos
Is one allowed to buy a lottery ticket if the lottery will be held on shabbos? Is it a problem of possibly making money on shabbos even though his chances are slim?
8
votes
1answer
226 views
Cocktail mixing (shaking & straining) on Shabbos
Is one allowed to use a shaker to strain an alcoholic drink on Shabbos? I have been told that it is mutar to use a pitcher with an ice guard on Shabbos, but I do not know the reason why this is not ...
8
votes
1answer
160 views
Division of Mishnayos in Pirkei Avos / Meseches Avos
In the Siddur, Pirkei Avos has a different division (in each Perek the amount of Mishnayos) than in the Mishnayos Avos. Who determined the division of the Mishnayos in the Siddur?
7
votes
7answers
260 views
Wearing photo gray glasses on Shabbos
In the question Pregancy Test on Shabbos a notion was raised in an answer that the chemical reaction is a problem due to tzovaya.
So what are the boundaries of this, in terms of chemical reactions ...
7
votes
6answers
210 views
7
votes
4answers
165 views
Question on Rashi - Yisro 20:8
On the Posuk "Zochor Es Yom HaShabos L'Kadsho", Rashi says
תנו לב לזכור תמיד את יום השבת שאם נזדמן לו חלק יפה יהא מזמינו לשבת
(Take heart to remember the Shabbos - if you find something nice ...
7
votes
5answers
280 views
malacha from child
is one allowed to ask a child to do a malacha of shabbos? does your answer also apply to a non-Jew?
7
votes
5answers
323 views
Will rabbis allow brainy Shabbat driving?
Saw this news story a few days ago about a car being driven with just thought, using a special cap with sensors.
http://www.jpost.com/Sci-Tech/Article.aspx?id=215704
To me this still seems entirely ...
7
votes
4answers
150 views
Is it permitted to make kiddush before Torah reading on Shabbat?
I know it's acceptable to have kiddush before Mussaf. Is it acceptable to have kiddush after the kaddish shalem of Shacharit but before the sefer Torah is taken out to be read?
(I believe I've heard ...
7
votes
2answers
165 views
Would Adam and Chava have been permitted the tree of knowledge if they'd waited?
I've long been somewhat troubled by the episode with the tree in the garden, because it seems like it was necessary for man to acquire knowledge (how else could we enter a covenant and accept the yoke ...
7
votes
3answers
225 views
Tzur MiShelo - Should you sing it before Bentching?
The song "Tzur MiShelo", generally printed in Bentchers, Siddurim, Zimronim, etc., as a Friday night song, follows the pattern of Bentching (grace after meals), praising G-d and praying for ...
7
votes
2answers
210 views
What are the issues with wearing gloves on Shabbos?
I know that there are differing opinions on wearing gloves outside on Shabbos, and whether that constitutes carrying, or may lead to carrying. So, what are the halachic problems/concerns with wearing ...
7
votes
4answers
422 views
Lecha Dodi (לכה דודי) - Last Stanza
At Boi Veshalom (in Lecha Dodi), we turn around to greet the Shabbos queen. Firstly, to which direction are we supposed to turn? Is it towards the door of the synagogue, always to the rear of the ...
7
votes
4answers
775 views
Is it permissible to open soda cans on shabbos?
What is the halacha regarding opening soda cans on shabbos?
I have heard that according to the ones who hold that you can open it, if I would ask that person to open it for me, I would need him to ...
7
votes
1answer
160 views
3 year olds lighting a shabbat candle
When my eldest turned three her male cousin also turned three. Many of her friends and her cousin were getting Tzitzit. She asked for her own. We explained that boys wear TzitTzit and girls light ...
7
votes
1answer
246 views
Fighting Wars on Shabbat
As I mentioned in another question, I was reading the Book of Maccabees over Shabbat (I and II).
In the book of Maccabees, it mentions that early on in the struggle, there were a group of Jews hiding ...
7
votes
3answers
164 views
Why don't we say Tachanun at Mincha on Erev Shabbat or Erev Yom Tov?
It says in the Rambam that there is a custom not to say Tachanun at Mincha on Erev Shabbos and Yom Tov. What is the reason for this custom?
7
votes
1answer
130 views
Can I free a trapped wild animal on shabbat?
If I find an animal trapped under a box on shabbat, is there anything wrong with letting it out?
7
votes
5answers
221 views
Learning History on Shabbos
Is there a Halachic problem to read and or learn the topic of History on Shabbos for enjoyment purposes? and why?
7
votes
2answers
234 views
Drinking Water During “Shalosh Seudos”
Someone told me that one is not allowed to drink plain water during the third meal of Shabbos (Seudah Shelishit). (or at least that there is a minhag not to).
Is this true? And if so, what is the ...
7
votes
1answer
72 views
Heating non-food items on Shabbath
Is it permissible to heat non-food items on Shabbath? Assume the method of heating is to use an existing heat source (a blech, or the top of a crockpot or hot water urn).
Would it matter if it is ...
7
votes
2answers
310 views
Is there any issue with using aerosols on Shabbos?
I've heard from many people that you shouldn't use aerosols (such as air fresheners, disinfectants or deodorants) on shabbos, usually citing some vague reason of changing the form from liquid to gas, ...
7
votes
2answers
193 views
Can you leave video chat on over Shabbos?
Basically:
Can you leave your computer with video chat on (to another person) on over shabbos? And what if there's also audio?
For example a relative in the hospital, relatives that in a far away ...
7
votes
1answer
160 views
How is it that one is allowed to have an alarm on shabbos?
Can one leave an alarm to go off on Shabbos morning?
If one can, then can it play anything, music, radio, etc?
7
votes
3answers
226 views
7
votes
3answers
349 views
Why shouldn't Gentiles keep Shabbat?
I know little about Judaism and it's a first time question, so please forgive any mistakes.
According to this question non-Jews are forbidden from keeping Shabbat. What is the reasoning behind this? ...
7
votes
3answers
81 views
Melachah on Shabbath - after Shabbath
If Melachah was done on Shabbath, can the product of that Melachah be enjoyed after Shabbath, and if so, under what criteria (does it depend on how long after Shabbath, or on the need, or something ...
7
votes
1answer
84 views
Why is it ok to pay the kids for the afikoman?
Most Pesach sedarim feature the afikoman hide-and-seek game; either the children steal it and ransom it back or the parents hide it and (in my experience) pay a prize to the child who finds it. At ...
7
votes
1answer
892 views
Puzzles on Shabbat
Is it permitted to put together puzzles on Shabbat with children?
Does it matter what kind of puzzle it is (jigsaw vs. fit the piece in the wooden hole)?
Does it matter if there are words on the ...
7
votes
2answers
191 views
How does Shabbos/Yom Tov mode on a stove work?
Star-K certifies the shabbos mode on some modern stoves. (Oh how I pine for the day of simple rheostats on electric stoves, and pilot lights on gas stoves! Those were the days...)
Our GE gas stove ...
7
votes
4answers
284 views
How does salt “add heat” (mishna in Shabbos 4(1))
The mishna in Shabbos 4(1) tells us which materials may not be used to insulate foods for Shabbos because they "add heat". One of these materials is salt. Can anyone explain how salt can add heat ...
7
votes
2answers
250 views
Is it actually forbidden to push a wheelchair outside of an eruv on Shabbat?
I have heard opinions varying wildly on the subject and am trying to make sense of them halachically. Is it illegal on Shabbat to push someone in a wheelchair, let's say, from their home to synagogue ...
7
votes
1answer
178 views
Unplugging a Phone Charger on Shabbat?
If a phone charger (or any electric adapter that is not connected to a device, for that matter) is plugged into an outlet, does unplugging it constitute any forbidden form of work, or is simply a ...
7
votes
2answers
231 views
Voice-activated electronics on Shabbat
Does using a voice-activated device constitute a melacha?
For example, Siri on an iphone
or, a even a voice-activated light-switch.
Does it make a difference if the computer doesn't take direct ...
7
votes
1answer
77 views
Sale of kibbudim on shabbat / chag
Many shuls have the practice of selling kibbudim (i.e. aliyot, hafotrah, opening the aron, etc.) on major holidays, usually via auction. I've been to some shuls where this is done every shabbat.
A ...
7
votes
1answer
181 views
Can one play darts on shabbat?
Can one play darts on shabbat?
And can one then do archery on shabbat, assuming there are no words or numbers on the target, and the bows remain strung throughout shabbat?
7
votes
3answers
381 views
Walking by an Automatic Door on Shabbos
Is one allowed to walk by an automatic door on Shabbos, if he/she has no benefit of the door opening (i.e. not walking in)?
How does this case compare/contrast to the walking by an automatic light on ...
7
votes
2answers
167 views
10th man drove to shul on shabbat
If one of precisely ten men, who form a minyan, had driven to shul (the synagogue) on shabbat, is that an acceptable minyan?
I would have though not, since one is benefiting from his melacha on ...
7
votes
2answers
169 views
cleaning up throw-up
if you have throw-up on a couch and it stinks and the couch is absorbent, how do you clean this up on shabbas? what are the concerns?
7
votes
2answers
87 views
Why omit “Av harachamim” for the four parashiyos?
"Av harachamim" is a prayer asking God to recall those who died al kidush hashem. It was written in response to the First Crusade (and is thus said only in the Ashk'nazi rite). Because of its somber ...
7
votes
1answer
174 views
Amira Lakum: say you can't say?
One is not allowed to tell a non-Jew to do a melacha on shabbas, but one can hint and say "it is cold in here", hoping he will realize and shut the air conditioner.
Is one allowed to explain to the ...
7
votes
2answers
133 views
Games (on Shabas) that involve writing: whose writing?
I don't have good sources handy, but apparently some forbid the Shabas playing of games in which one usually writes, even if playing without writing: Scrabble, in which one writes scores, is sometimes ...
6
votes
4answers
246 views
Can you pick your nose?
Is it a violation of halakah to pick your nose (unrefined act, possibly a violation of being a holy nation)? Would there be a difference in halakah if it were the sabbath (possible violation of ...
6
votes
6answers
145 views
Number of Candles at Lighting
How many candles should one light on Erev Shabbos and Yom Tov? And why that number?
6
votes
2answers
189 views
Should one light Shabbat candles if Friday is yom tov?
Today is the second day of Rosh Hashana, and it happens to be Friday. The holiday will end after Shabbat begins. Should we light candles today?
6
votes
3answers
159 views
“Purchasing” Something Free on Shabbos
Suppose someone has a coupon for a free [let's say, iced coffee] from a store. What are the problems with getting such an item from the store, on Shabbos (or Yom Tov)?
To boil it down to more general ...
6
votes
4answers
421 views
Is it okay to drive a car on the Sabbath?
The Five Books of Moses mention not stoking a fire on the Sabbath, if I remember correctly. By starting a car, I'd think I am stoking a fire. Is this okay to do for a Jew? Why or why not?
6
votes
2answers
63 views
How exactly was extinguishing used constructively to build the Mishkan/Tabernacle?
One of the 39 categories of forbidden labor on Shabbos is "extinguishing" (mechabeh); how exactly was it used in a constructive fashion when building the Mishkan?
6
votes
2answers
94 views
Avinu Malkienu on Shabbos
Why do we not say Avinu Malkienu on Shabbos and why is the Teffilah of Neilah the exception to this very rule?
