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.
5
votes
1answer
133 views
Is it prohibited to ride public transport that also operates on Shabbat
In Israel, most public transport shuts down on Shabbat.
If it did operate on Sabbath, perhaps by non Jews, would it be permissable for Jews to use it on weekdays?
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
101 views
Shochen Ad, HaKail, HaMelech - why?
Why does the Shaliach Tzibbur start Shacharis on Shabbos from Shochein Ad, on Yom Tov from HaKeil, and on Rosh HaShana/Yom Kippur from HaMelech?
4
votes
2answers
212 views
Can I use a Parabolic Mirror or Fresnel Lens to cook on Shabbat?
Shabbat 39a discusses cooking on Shabbat using the sun. It is permitted to roll an egg on a hot roof to cook it since this is not a typical way to cook, but you can't burry it in sun-heated-sand ...
2
votes
2answers
145 views
Is Shir HaShirim recited on a Yom Tov that falls on Friday?
There are those (Sephardim and Chassidim, I guess) who have the custom to recite Shir HaShirim on Friday, Erev Shabbat. Do they also recite it on a Friday when Yom Tov leads directly into Shabbat?
If ...
15
votes
5answers
344 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 ...
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?
20
votes
3answers
532 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
59 views
Does a fan or light on Shabbos need a Blech?
Obviously they wouldn't need a "blech" like we think of one, but would they need some sort of physical alteration to remind one not to adjust the knobs/switches on Shabbos?
More specifically, to ...
13
votes
2answers
251 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
93 views
Ask a friend to carry on Shabbos
Suppose there are two friends: one holds of the eiruv and the other doesn't. Is the second allowed to ask the first to carry for him?
And if the first anyways carried it, can the second benefit from ...
3
votes
2answers
90 views
When to say “Yehallelu” by Mincha Shabbos Afternoon?
Chabad starts the Half-Kaddish by Mincha Shabbos afternoon just after Hagbahah and continuing the Kaddish until the Sefer Torah is put back in the Aron.
Since one should not interrupt in the middle ...
2
votes
1answer
148 views
Eiruv in Manhattan?
There are two ways one could build an Eiruv on an island:
One build walls, Tzuras Hapesachs, etc.
One relies on the "natural" walls. This hetter applies only if
The ocean does not bring up ...
11
votes
2answers
308 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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
96 views
Sand art on Shabbos
Is it Hallachicly permissible to make Sand art on Shabbos or is it prohibited on Shabbos and if so what prohibition are you doing maybe writing?
7
votes
5answers
220 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?
2
votes
1answer
123 views
Could the 'air conditioner' shown here be run during shabbat?
I saw this DIY video, and was wondering if such a fan could be run before shabbat started and left running as shown?
The video on this page (Ignore the article):
...
3
votes
1answer
92 views
Wirelessly recharging a light-emitting diode on Shabbos
Could one use wireless recharging technology (see http://home.howstuffworks.com/question292.htm) to power a light-emitting diode (which does not have a filament that gets hot (see ...
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 ...
6
votes
2answers
344 views
Where does the concept of a Kli Shlishi come from?
When it comes to cooking on Shabbos, most people hold that things that are not allowed to be put in a Kli Sheni (a vessel once removed from the vessel that was on the fire) because it is considered ...
4
votes
1answer
84 views
In Shabbos Shacharis which is right “sheboro bemidas rachamim” or “sheboro bemidas HOrachamim”?
In the brocho of “hakol yoducho” Shabbos Shacharis, some siddurim have “sheboro bemidas rachamim” while some have “sheboro bemidas HOrachamim”. Why?
3
votes
3answers
172 views
Why do we call it “candle-lighting” time?
Since it is still permissible to do melacha (work forbidden on shabbat) including lighting shabbat candles until shki'a (sunset), which is 18 minutes (or 40 minutes in Jerusalem) following ...
6
votes
2answers
226 views
Why do some women light additional shabbat candles for the past weeks they didn't light?
Some women have the custom to light an additional shabbat candle for every week which, for whatever reason, they did not have a chance to light shabbat candles in the past. For example, if a woman ...
10
votes
2answers
260 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
137 views
Is using a book with letters stamped on the sides melacha (erasing) if the book wasn't closed in the first place?
A comment on this question points to the following from OU:
Likewise, when words are stamped on the edge of a book (as is the case with most library books), these letters are separated when the ...
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
95 views
How often is it neccessary to check the strings of an Eruv?
If you have an Eruv Chatzeros for carrying, how often is it necessary to check it to make sure that it is properly strung and you can still carry on Shabbos?
11
votes
3answers
365 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 ...
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?
2
votes
2answers
141 views
Bathing before Shabbos Chazon
To what extent, if any, does the practice of bathing in hot water before Shabbos override the prohibition of bathing during the Nine Days? I ask specifically regarding Ashkenazi practice (I guess for ...
9
votes
2answers
309 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 ...
11
votes
2answers
161 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
91 views
Keychain with muktzeh items (e.g. usb)
This has been asked in the past with regard to a muktzeh key, and i was uncertain if it would be the same with something like a usb. If i have a keychain with a usb on it that i wear week round, come ...
2
votes
3answers
94 views
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
195 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?
8
votes
2answers
320 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, ...
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 ...
0
votes
2answers
167 views
Would the internet be considered muktzeh due to Nolad (a new thing)
There is a category of muktzeh on shabbat called Nolad. Nolad means literally, something that is born on shabbat. It is interpreted in the modern era, as meaning anything which you did not have ...
1
vote
5answers
545 views
Is using the internet on Shabbat against melachos?
Is it against melachos to look at the internet during Shabbat? How can you interpret the Melachos to apply to the 21st century? Is there a difference between looking at the internet for purely ...
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?
4
votes
2answers
257 views
Can one follow Rabbeinu Tam time for beginning Shabbos?
Does anyone today follow Rabbineu Tam time for the beginning of Shabbos? Reading some tshuvas (e.g. Eretz haTzvi) it is clear this was widespread in Europe.
If one has previously been accustomed to ...
1
vote
2answers
117 views
Why is it called Shalosh Seudos?
Why is the third Shabbos meal called Shalosh Seudos - literally three meals - would it not be more appropiate to call it Seuda Shlishis?
10
votes
2answers
324 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 ...
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 ...
6
votes
1answer
125 views
Lechem Mishneh : holding challos procedure
What's the exact procedure for holding the challos in lechem mishneh.
I'm not asking about the number of challos used or which one to cut (top / bottom) but how do we hold them :
do we hold them ...
3
votes
1answer
149 views
Shabbat Rosh Chodesh: Ata yatzarta
Why does the Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Musaf have its own special text (Ata Yatzarta Olamecha Mikedem ...) for the middle beracha?
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
96 views
Sheva Berachot at third meal
If sheva brachot occur at a seudah shlishit which finishes after sunset, is one allowed to drink the wine even though it is prior to making havdala? If yes, who specifically would be allowed to drink ...
