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.
1
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1answer
42 views
Tachshitim on Shabbath
The Gemara Shabbath (several pages, but look anywhere from 59a through at least 62a for several discussions) contains a great deal of discussion about wearing "Tachshitim" (ornaments/jewelry) on ...
13
votes
3answers
164 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
Avel that needs shmira — Also on Shabbos?
That which we say an Avel (person in mourning) is among the people that need "shmirah" (Someone to be with them - See Gemorah Brachos 54b at the bottom) is this also on Shabbos? Normally we say that ...
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 ...
4
votes
0answers
53 views
Are you yotzei by lighting candles through a grama?
Does one fulfill the mitzvah of lighting candles (sabbath or chanukah) if done by a grama (indirect action)? Example
5
votes
1answer
91 views
removing a dislocated hair out of one's beard on shabbat
Is there any prohibition to remove a disconnected beard hair from a beard on Shabbat? In order to remove the hair you still may have to move away other parts of the beard to get to the hair in ...
4
votes
1answer
111 views
Are there verifications for these miracles?
In Sanhedrin 65b (line 24 and further) Tornosrufus asked same question
to R. Akiva. R. Akiva answered that there are three proofs that the
day Jew think is Shabbos is a real Shabbos.
River ...
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
118 views
Ben Drosai - what was his Zechus?
Gemara Shabbos 20a and in other locations mentions
כמאכל
בן דרוסאי
Rashi explains that Ben Drosai was a thief who ate his food when it was only cooked 1/3. Did Ben Drosai have some sort of Zechus ...
11
votes
4answers
227 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
72 views
On Shabbos: Shaking basket with fruits and rock, why not borer (selecting)?
It says in SA OC Siman 309 Sif 3 that on Shabbos if one wants to carry a basket that has in it fruits for the purpose of the fruits themselves if there is a rock inside of the basket as well one must ...
30
votes
4answers
656 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 ...
4
votes
3answers
105 views
Candles lit from Shabbos to Shabbos
In Hilchos Channukah (OC Siman 675 Sif 1 -- see also there Mishneh Brurah Sif-Katan 3) we learn that if one lit Channukah candle(s) (for the mitzvah) for one day and they stayed lit until the ...
0
votes
1answer
54 views
Preparing food on Shabbos for Bein Hashmoshos
I have asked in a different question for the citation to the Pri Megadim that I've heard says it's ossur to cook on yom tov for the purpose of eating the food Bein Hashmoshos.
Although a makor for ...
0
votes
1answer
131 views
“Carrying” items without an eruv
I have seen people use "Sabbat belts" and bracelets that use the key as some functional part of the item (eg something that holds the loop together).
However, this does not seem to be a real garment ...
2
votes
1answer
50 views
Bones for Dogs Difference When they were Separated from Meat
MB on OC 308:110 says that if bones were separated from their meat on Shabbos they can be carried (are not muktze), and then certainly if they were separated before Shabbos.
MB on OC 308:121, on Rm"a ...
5
votes
2answers
124 views
Firefighting on shabbat
Is one allowed to be a firefighter if he might be required to work on Shabbat? or is he allowed to, in order to save lives?
3
votes
1answer
356 views
What to do if Shabbat candles go out
What should a lady do if, after kindling the candles, a gust of wind blows them out, or they tip over and are extinguished?
3
votes
1answer
117 views
Making coleslaw and potato salad on Shabbos
All of the halachos in regards to lisha on Shabbos have always been difficult to understand. What do the poskim say in regards to making coleslaw (mixing together small pieces of cabbage and carrots ...
3
votes
0answers
34 views
“Yichud L'Olam” in Hilchos Muktzeh
In Hilchos Muktzeh we find there is an idea that even a rock ("evan") one can be m'yached (set aside) for a certain purpose allowing one to move it around on Shabbos (See SA OC Siman 308 Sif 22.) ...
2
votes
1answer
98 views
eating before kiddush
Is there any time in the early morning on Shabbat in which I can eat and drink something without any question of it being considered eating before davening and kiddush? For example, at 3, 4, or 5 ...
0
votes
2answers
54 views
Noled — Ossur on Yom Tov, Muter on Shabbos?
Why is it that there apparently are some poskim (Halachic authorities) that hold Noled (something that didn't exist before the onset of Shabbos or Yom Tov) is Muter on Shabbos but Ossur on Yom Tov? ...
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
110 views
Breaking Shabbos to keep future Shabbos(os)?
The reason we allow someone to violate shabbos to save a life is because of the principle "let him void one shabbat so that many future shabbosos will be kept". What are the parameters for this ...
2
votes
2answers
202 views
Saving a Jew's life on Shabbos if s/he does not observe Shabbos
(This question was inspired by my comment on this question - Are you allowed to save a non-Jew's life on shabbos? (The comment is quoted at the bottom of my question.))
R. Simeon b. Menassia is ...
4
votes
1answer
143 views
Controling a nervous habit picking fingernails on shabbat
Does anyone have advice for someone who has a (nervous?) habit to rub/scrape their fingernails together - thereby tearing away parts of the nail and surrounding skin (which is a rabbinic prohibition ...
7
votes
3answers
226 views
1
vote
2answers
97 views
Source for heter for making tea on Shabbos
There appear to be a few issues with brewing tea on Shabbos, some of which have already been discussed here:
Kli Sheini and Kli Shlishi (see here and here)
Kalei Bishul
A heter from Rav Moshe
I'm ...
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 ...
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 ...
2
votes
3answers
69 views
Why does it say (negatively) in אום נצורה “She sits and waits for Shabbos to go out"?
The Hoshano for Shabbos which starts אום נצורה contains the phrase
יושבת וממתנת עד כלות שבת
Which I translate as “She (Khilas Yisroel) sits and waits for Shabbos to go out.”
I don’t find this very ...
1
vote
1answer
91 views
Is a Gentile that keeps Yom Tov Chayav Misa like on Shabbos?
We say a gentile that keeps Shabbos is chayav misa (death penalty). Is this also true if a gentile keeps yom tov?
4
votes
1answer
107 views
Moving close to the Shul
How close to the shul would a Rabbi generally require congregants or a prospective convert to move (in kilometers please!)?
2
votes
1answer
57 views
When should we light shabbat candles?
On page 188 of my סדור רינת ישראל (or p. 196 in this edition) the instructions for lighting shabbat candles begins as follows:
כשהחמה בראש האילנות, מדליקים נר של שבת.
My limited Hebrew has me ...
3
votes
2answers
200 views
Using baby wipes on Shabbos
There are those that use baby wipes on Shabbos, and those that do not. And then there are those that use only the thinner ones and not the thick ones. What is considered thin and what is considered ...
0
votes
1answer
188 views
Can we play video games during sabbath
I am not Jewish, but sort of try to emulate some parts of it to see if it does me any good.
Well, not doing anything for 1 day is too boring. Actually what else can we do anyway during sabbath beside ...
5
votes
1answer
107 views
Inflatable Mattress on Shabbos
Is one allowed to pump air into an inflatable mattress on Shabbos? Is this a problem of tikkun cli, makeh b'patish, etc? (Or any other problem.) What about if the mattress was inflated Erev Shabbos ...
7
votes
4answers
774 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 ...
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?
5
votes
1answer
191 views
First trip to the synagogue! Tips and advice please!
I am preparing for my first trip to a synagogue after the High Holy Days.
My first visit will be to a Modern Orthodox Synagogue. I have interacted with the Rabbi by email and we will be meeting ...
3
votes
1answer
64 views
Making food brachot for others
On Shabbat and Yom Tov, usually one person makes ha'motzi and everyone else at the table says amen and eats some bread. As far as I am aware, during the week, nobody ever eats food without making ...
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
72 views
Sharpening a Knife on Shabbos
If one sharpens a knife on Shabbos, have they transgressed an issur d'oraisa or an issur d'rabbanan?
1
vote
2answers
95 views
What foods are considered Mitztamek Veyafe lo?
ADAIR, according to the opinions that one must garuf and katum his oven even if the food is Maachal ben Derusai, he doesn't have to if the food is Mitztamek veRa Lo [the longer you cook it the worse ...
0
votes
1answer
64 views
Hotels and food-service during shabbat
Could someone point me to the right direction (halacha) regarding the validity of being served by a Jew working at the hotel where I reside during shabbat?
Basically I'm making him "work" on shabbat ...
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, ...
4
votes
1answer
100 views
Feeding a dependent plant on shabbos
Suppose someone keeps a plant that must be watered daily in order for it to survive. May that person water the plant on Shabbat? Note that this is definitely allowed and even required for pet animals ...
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?
-2
votes
2answers
298 views
If one watches television on Friday night, will one go to hell?
If one watches television on Friday night, will one go to hell?
2
votes
1answer
94 views
Pain of animals on shabbat
So a friend of mine showed me the following verse from Matthew 12:11 (strange to bring a New Testament quote into a halacha question, I know)
... they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the ...
