5

I don't use my cell on Shabbat, it is turned off but calls still go to my Voicemail. Is this permissible? I don't have the option of turning voicemail off only for Shabbat. It seems it is either set up or not at all.

Improve this question
1
  • 3
    Hello Cassia, and welcome to Mi Yodeya! Please keep in mind that Mi Yodeya is not really a place for practical halachic advice -- any information you get here should be treated as if it came from a crowd of your friends ....that said, I hope you stay around to enjoy the site!
    – MTL
    Aug 31, 2014 at 13:06

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
8

No sources so please CYLOR but:

The voicemail goes to a central server at your provider. When you dial in to retrieve your messages you are not accessing a message store on your phone rather you are dialing into a VM service.

Since this server/service is maintained for both Jewish and Non-Jewish customers it would be permitted to have benefit from it even after Shabbat and there is no need to delete your messages.

Improve this answer
3
  • 1
    This is why you can access your voicemail from any phone. +1.
    – Y     e     z
    Aug 31, 2014 at 20:49
  • Nice, but what if it did go to the phone, like a landline?
    – user613
    Sep 1, 2014 at 8:45
  • @user3949142 good point ! Why don't you post it as a new question ? i.e Do I need to turn off my home answering machine or fax before Shabbas ?
    – eramm
    Sep 1, 2014 at 9:01
1

Your case is almost analogous to the video camera debate, where we find a select few big Rabbis disallowing the use of security cameras over shabbos and not allowing the video captured to be viewed. Two that come to mind are Reb Elyashiv & Reb Dovid Feinstein. However your case is different. In the case of the video camera we are dealing with a shvisas keilim (cessation of possessions' work) issue. And while its true that we rule like Beis Hillel that allows your keilim (items) to do 'work' for you on shabbos, that is only true if the keilim started their work before shabbos, such as the vat where wool was put up to soak or the chandelier that was lit, both before shabbos. A video camera that captures new footage every moment is considered to be doing a new milacha which is why apparently these rabbis prohibited it. It should be noted that the Ben Ish Chai in 1910 disallowed using a timer to turn on an electric light based on this logic.

However your case is different. Your case is the nonjewish keili (item) which recorded the message for you. There is no prohibition against this.

Improve this answer
2
  • You don't explain any reason for the difference you mention in the second paragraph, or cite anyone who makes that distinction.
    – msh210 ♦
    Sep 1, 2014 at 4:36
  • @msh210 the person who answered three hours after me made the same distinction. Ask them for their source:)
    – user6591
    Sep 1, 2014 at 11:51
1

There may be a problem with the instruction "Please leave a message". as you are requesting a melachah be performed on your behalf. One formulation I've heard suggested is the change the prompt to "If you leave a message, I'll call you back" or similar wording that does not explicitly request the caller leave a message. (No sources to hand, sorry.)

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .