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.
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
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:
...
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
73 views
are bionic abilities legal for shabbos
Today the world is high in technology; many medical fields are experiencing breakthroughs in artificial limbs and what not.
What are the legalities of these in Jewish law?
For example, a pace maker ...
3
votes
1answer
108 views
How much must be eaten from the lechem mishneh
Inspired by following 2 questions:
Not eating from the Lechem Mishnah
Challah Loaves on Shabbat have a minimum size?
When eating a Shabbos Seudah how much must the ones that are being yotzee from ...
2
votes
1answer
39 views
Pesik Reshe & Melacha She'en Sarich LeGufa
What is the practical differnce between: Pesik Reshe Delo Niha Le, Pesik Reshe Delo Ichpat Le, and Melecha She'en Sarich Legufa? What is an example that can prove the difference between the three?
...
2
votes
1answer
85 views
canned whipped cream on shabbas?
Can one use a pressure can of whipped cream on shabbas ?
It is funny because on the actual can it says to ask your Rabbi if one can use it or not.
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
1answer
57 views
Preparing a dish on Shabbos by night for the day time (in regards to Borer)
It says in SA OC Siman 321 Sif 19 in the Rema that normally it's ossur to peel garlic or onions however that's only to leave them to eat at a later time. However if it's being done to eat right away ...
6
votes
0answers
98 views
Which types of light bulbs are 'only' an issur d'rabbanan to activate on Shabbat
I'd be very interested to know if anyone has definitive advice on which types of light bulbs are considered an issur d'rabbanan (Rabbinic prohibition) vs an issur d'oraita (Torah prohibition) to turn ...
6
votes
0answers
101 views
Mandatory evacuation on Shabbat: what can and can't you do?
A major storm hit New England starting this past Friday. While people knew this was coming and precautions were already in place, apparently (according to a news article I read tonight) some areas ...
6
votes
0answers
67 views
Decorative food plating on Shabbath
This question asks about using an ice cream scoop on Shabbath, and an internet forum linked in the question has a discussion about the permissibility of decorative plating of food generally. According ...
5
votes
0answers
47 views
How does deep snow affect carrying on Shabbos?
Thinking about the snow in Boston and the discussion at Shabbos 5a, if there was more than 10 tefakim (handbredths) of snow on the ground, would a reshus hayachad (private domain) extend from the soil ...
5
votes
0answers
87 views
Late sunset times and Jewish observance
This question is distinct from other questions which ask how and when to begin Shabbat, etc. when there is no sunset. I am asking about places in which sunset occurs very late during certain times of ...
4
votes
0answers
92 views
Using a cell phone as a watch on Shabbos
I seem to recall learning that it is permissible to use a cell phone as a watch on Shabbos as long as the time is always displayed on the front and no buttons would need to be pressed in order to ...
4
votes
0answers
31 views
Geographic size of an Eruv
Inspired by Is Juneau, Alaska -- surrounded by natural barriers -- a natural eruv
Is there a maximum square mile or square kilometer area that may be enclosed by an Eruv? (sources)
4
votes
0answers
38 views
Is Juneau, Alaska — surrounded by natural barriers — a natural eruv
I recently visited Juneau, Alaska. It is a small city of 35,000. The city limits are quite large, however -- 3,225 square miles -- but much of this area is separated from downtown Juneau on Douglas ...
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
4
votes
0answers
78 views
Why would a siddur choose תתברֵך instead of תתברַך?
My siddur of choice is the סדור תפילת השלם but I am wondering about one bit of vocalization used therein.
In the davening of shacharit for both weekdays and shabbat, there is a sentence before shma ...
3
votes
0answers
40 views
Can one use potential wind power to transport on Shabbos?
Would it be permitted to set a cart with a sail in a reshus yachid with the intent that if the wind picks up, it will carry the contents 1) into a reshus harabbim, or 2) through a reshus harabbim and ...
3
votes
0answers
46 views
Is it ever permissible to break Shabbos in order to relieve someone of suffering?
Is it ever permissible to break Shabbos in order to relieve someone (a human or an animal) of suffering? I am talking about excruciating suffering, not merely discomfort, and I am not talking about ...
3
votes
0answers
60 views
Pretending in kiyum hamitzvot
When a woman (or, if need be, a man) lights candles for Shabbat, she covers her eyes before making the bracha to "pretend" that the candles aren't lit yet because we generally say the bracha before ...
3
votes
0answers
68 views
Strike chest in “S'lach lanu” on Shabas?
Suppose someone is praying maariv, shacharis, or mincha on Shabas, starts the weekday amida's blessings, and then realizes, amid those weekday blessings, that he should be saying the amida of Shabas. ...
3
votes
0answers
74 views
How to respond to a non-Jew who asks to shovel your snow on shabbos?
If a non-Jew asks if he may shovel your snow on shabbos what is the proper halachic response? Does it make a difference if he is asking to do this for pay (not previously arranged before shabbos)?
3
votes
0answers
68 views
Scheduling a USPS Pickup for Shabbos
So it turns out that the USPS has a feature where you can ask them to come and pickup a package. So you go online to their site, enter your information, choose a date for the pickup, and tell them ...
3
votes
0answers
53 views
When does trash become muktsa on Shabbos?
My granddaughters will go the candy-man in shul on Shabbos, unwrap their lolly-pops, and hand me their wrappers. If I understand muktsa to mean something which has no purpose for me on Shabbos, then ...
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.) ...
3
votes
0answers
71 views
Is one allowed to use electricity on Shabbos in Israel?
I have heard that some don't use electricity made by the Israeli Electric company on Shabbos and only use generators.
However, I have seen people who do use public electricity on Shabbos.
What are ...
3
votes
0answers
63 views
Early Shabbos during 9 days
Is it permitted to bring in Shabbos early during the 9 days and make Kiddush? I know that the prevailing custom for Havdallah is to do it over something other than wine, but obviously this cannot be ...
3
votes
0answers
58 views
The history behind the composition and inclusion of V'lo N'tato
I'm curious about the composition and inclusion in the shabbat shacharit of the paragraph beginning ולא נתתו (v'lo n'tato). I understand the talmudic basis for the underlying idea, and how it fits in ...
3
votes
0answers
73 views
Sefer Torah in reshus harabim
If one finds a Torah on the floor in a reshus harabim on shabbas what should one do? It is a big bizoyn to leave it on the floor but to pick it up and carry it is problematic.
Question inspired by: ...
3
votes
0answers
69 views
Why isn't Tefilat Mussaf consistent?
[Edit: According to Nusach Edot HamMizrach,] why does the Mussaf prayer on Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh include a description of the actual mussaf sacrifice, while the Mussaf prayer on Moed does not? Why ...
2
votes
0answers
47 views
Why is elevation not factored into zmanim in places like New York?
As you might already know, zmanim (for Shabbos, etc.) are determined by a number of factors, one being the elevation of the particular locale. But for some reason, if you check the charts and ...
2
votes
0answers
35 views
Blessing children together or individually?
When I was a child, my parents would bless my siblings and me on Erev Shabbos. The formulation that they used was "Yesimcha Elokim kEphraim v'ch'Menashe" for each son and "Yesimech Elokim kSarah, ...
2
votes
0answers
46 views
Apostate Jew performing mitzvahs
It has been discussed many times on this site that a non-Jew may not observe Shabbat (in addition to various other mitzvot that are prohibited to non-Jews). We have also seen that a Jew who renounces ...
2
votes
0answers
38 views
Why does אין כאלקינו differ on שבת?
נֻסח 'ספרד' says "אין כאלקינו" every day. On weekdays, it includes several paragraphs describing the makeup of the קטרת, followed by several פסוקים. On שבת, the description of the קטרת is cut ...
2
votes
0answers
58 views
How does one own and operate a hotel on Shabbat?
Assume we're talking about a hotel that is open every day of the year. How does someone own and operate a hotel while still keeping the laws of Shabbat?
Are there sources that discuss this?
An ...
2
votes
0answers
41 views
Removing dirt from Sefer Torah on Shabbos
In SA OC Siman 340 in the Taz Sif-Katan 1 and brought in M"B Sif-Katan 10 that one shouldn't remove wax from on top of an ois (letter) in a Sefer because of the issur of "erasing" (mechika). The Biur ...
2
votes
0answers
64 views
Segulah to remove bone stuck in one's throat
The Gemorah in Shabbos Daf 67a gives a segulah for someone who has a bone stuck in their throat to get it out. The Gemorah says to bring another bone of the same type, put it on the person's head and ...
2
votes
0answers
86 views
Can a healthy person use a shabbos elevator?
Can a person who has no health issues make use of a shabbos elevator?
2
votes
0answers
50 views
Adon 'Olam or Yigdal after Ma'ariv Friday night and Yom Tov?
In many Siddurim and Maḥzorim Adon 'Olam is printed at the end of Ma'ariv for Friday night and Yom Tov. But in my experience, the vast majority of (Ashkenazi) Shuls sing Yigdal at this point instead. ...
1
vote
0answers
25 views
Being m'ziah (sweating) individual body parts on Shabbos
If one looks into the Tur Beis Yosef (and Shulchan Aruch) in Orach Chaim Siman 326 you will find the halachos of bathing on Shabbos. The Beis Yosef there points to the gemorah where it outlines the ...
1
vote
0answers
57 views
Cooperating with the authorities on Shabbos
To what extent, if any, must a Jew go through in order to cooperate with authorities, who are not seeking to persecute Jews, in ways that violate Shabbat? May he violate rabbinic ordinances, or actual ...
1
vote
0answers
43 views
Stopping gentile from doing borer on Shabbos
Consider the following situation.
A shul makes a large Kiddush every Shabbos morning after Davening. They have many food items that need to be prepared and set up for the Kiddush however the ...
1
vote
0answers
53 views
Typing on Shabbos
If one would type on a computer on Shabbos would he be ovar an issur d'oraisa in regards to the malacha of writing? (The other malachos involved aside for a moment.)
Is there any room to say this ...
0
votes
0answers
27 views
Is one allowed to sin a small sin to save himself from bringing a Chatas?
The Gemara in Shabbos says that Bibi bar Abaye asks if one can violate a Rabbinic commandment (unsticking a loaf from an oven) to save oneself from being "chayav a chattas".
The Gemara says that ...
0
votes
0answers
54 views
Bigdei Shabbos on Erev Pesach
It says in SA OC Siman 471 in the Rema Sif 3 that it's a mitzvah to take shower/bath and cut ones hair Erev Yom Tov. As well to wear "Bigadim Noim" (nice clothing) "c'mo Shabbos" (like on Shabbos.)
...
0
votes
0answers
54 views
When Tu Bishvat falls out on Shabbos, when do we make the seder?
Many have the custom to make a seder for Tu Bishvat. When Tu Bishvat is on Shabbos as it is this year, when is the optimal time to make the seder? If as part one of the three Shabbos meals, which ...
0
votes
0answers
35 views
P'nei Eretz Yisrael, P'nei Shabbat Kodesh?
Once I was in the land of Israel (in Beit Shemesh), and the mazmin was leading birkat hamazon. He said birshut maranan verabanan verabotai, birshut hakohanim, and birshut p'nei eretz yisrael. Is ...
-1
votes
0answers
34 views
Can a gentile celebrate the holidays like Rosh Hashanah or Pesshach with jews?
we have gentile friends that would like to celebrate the Chagim with us.
Can they do it? Also on Yom Kippur?
