Questions tagged [melacha-creative-work]
Commonly refers to 39 categories of activity that are forbidden on Shabbos & yom tov.
299
questions
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1answer
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Early Shabbos Amira lakum
If a Jew made early Shabbos, I see the mechaber in OC 263:17 says that one may ask a Jew to do melacha for him (assuming he did not accept Shabbos yet).
Would the same hold true of asking a non-Jew to ...
1
vote
1answer
65 views
Melacha explicitly in the Chumash
How many, and which, melachot of shabbos are explicitly mentioned in the Chumash?
For example, I know the Chumash mentions not making a fire; is this the only example of such or are there more which ...
5
votes
1answer
153 views
If one steps on an insect on Shabbos and the insect is then mutilated to the point that it will surely die, then is one allowed to kill it?
If one steps on a cockroach on Shabbos and the cockroach is then mutilated to the point that it will surely die, is one then allowed to kill it?
Is it allowed to kill the cockroach because essentially ...
0
votes
0answers
97 views
Melting Chocolate bombs on Shabbos?
Is there an issur to melt hot chocolate bombs on Shabbos? Is it nolad?
0
votes
1answer
87 views
Does a melocho done after tzeis hakochavim but before havdoloh count as a melocho d'oraisa? [duplicate]
A person lights fire to cook after tzeis hakochavim but he has not made havdoloh yet or said ato chonantonu or boruch hamavdil. Would lighting fire in this case count as a melocho d'oraisa or d'...
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0answers
57 views
Can someone else turn on my computer on Shabbat/yom tov using Wake-on-LAN
Let's say I am not Jewish, and I have a bunch of Jewish people in an apartment building on one big LAN. During Shabbat I want their computers to all turn on at a specific time so I send a WOL message ...
1
vote
0answers
34 views
The reason of Tiltul in Shabbath
I remember to have studied a Tosefot where it is written that it is very hard to understand why is forbidden to transport something on Shabbath (Tiltul).
Somebody can tell me where is this Tosefot
4
votes
1answer
112 views
Adjusting a crutch on Shabbos
What would be the halacha with regards to adjusting brand new crutches on Shabbos. Most modern crutches come with pins (see picture below) on either side which when pressed down can slide into the ...
2
votes
2answers
135 views
Reason for dispute if chilazon has a melacha of trapping
The gemarra Shabbos 75a seems to say that someone who traps a chilazon violated the melacha of trapping on Shabbos. Tosafos brings the Yerushalmi (7:2, 52a) that says that one doesn't violate the ...
3
votes
1answer
77 views
Garbage collection on Shabbos
Inspired by this question...
The local council require a fee for the collection of certain refuse. In certain cases there are those who have a bin with all their garden waste that is picked up once a ...
3
votes
0answers
51 views
Is not protesting tantamount to intentionally doing something — ramifications
If a Jew sees another Jew about to do an aveira (chas veshalom), and knows that if he speaks in a certain way to protest the action, the other Jew might listen to him, but doesn't do so, is he liable ...
0
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1answer
85 views
Death penalty for Shabbos violation, how can it be?
How does beis din ever put anyone to death over a Shabbat violation, what is stopping the defendant from simply saying “it was a melacha she’aino trizcha legufo” or “it was a Davar sheino miskaven” ...
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vote
0answers
40 views
Does casting metal entail a melacha (assuming it's already liquid)?
The Torah says to cast gold rings when building the Mishkan. Obviously you'd have to do the melachos of extinguishing to make charcoal, burning to then ignite said charcoal, and cooking to liquefy the ...
0
votes
1answer
97 views
Does knitting on Shabbos constitute avos melachos other than weaving?
I'm used to the illustration with a loom showing the melachos involved in weaving: Mesach (loading the string), Oseh Shtei Batei Nirim (loading the harness), Oreg (weaving), Potzea (un-weaving).
...
0
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56 views
Can I text a non-observant Jew when it is still Shabbos for them? [duplicate]
Can I text a non-observant Jew living in a different time zone, when it is still Shabbos for them? I know there is a high likelihood he will read the text on Shabbos and reply - is there any halachic ...
2
votes
0answers
40 views
Why is the use of indoor plumbing allowed on shabbos? [duplicate]
Use of indoor plumbing on shabbos involves moving water or waste from/to public and private domains, which could involve a biblical prohibition of hotzoa. Why is this allowed on shabbos?
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0answers
40 views
May one tell a Gentile to drive his car immediately before Shabbat?
During a recent Shulchan Aruch lesson, I learned that one may not tell a Gentile tailor immediately before Shabbat to fix a suit that he will need immediately after Shabbat, as this is clear that he ...
2
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0answers
48 views
Why is using an umbrella forbidden on Shabbat? [duplicate]
Several rabbi's have told me that one is prohibited from using an umbrella on Shabbat because one is "constructing a shelter".
Assuming they've used the correct reasoning, I'm not following it. I ...
1
vote
3answers
111 views
Why are certain melachot permitted on Shabbat for food purposes and others not?
I'm relaying this question from my son...
Tearing is a melacha. But, as far as I understand, one may tear open a food bag (like a bag of chips) on Shabbat. Yet, one may not cut between the letters ...
1
vote
1answer
113 views
Can a gentile work for a Jew on Shabbat?
There is a rabbinic decree that a Jew may not ask a gentile, right before Shabbat, to do work for him because he might do it on Shabbat [Gittin 8b]. But in the Mishna [Shabbat 1:8] Hillel allows it, "...
3
votes
0answers
45 views
Tying and untying knots on Shabbos & Yom Tov [duplicate]
Someone tied a garbage bag with a double knot (due to distraction by talking) on Yom Tov. He then quickly opened the top knot as if to "undo" the melacha.
A) Did he transgress "tying"?
B) Did he ...
1
vote
1answer
145 views
Composing religious songs and melodies on Shabbos [duplicate]
"Shiru laHashem shir chadash..."
"Mizmor shir leYom haShabbat"
Recently on Shabbat I put together some notes in a pleasing order, and used it as a zemer at our table. A guest was concerned that I was ...
7
votes
1answer
83 views
Why is turning on a faucet not considered molid or boneh?
As has been discussed in many questions on this site, halachic authorities generally agree that the use of electricity is prohibited on Shabbat, but some differ in their analysis of why. (There is ...
3
votes
0answers
99 views
Does Shabbat desecration have a “time duration” factor?
One of my friends told me that when Kvish Shesh - "Tollway rte. 6" in Israel was completed, there was some concern about cars driving on the road on Shabbat. The CEO of Derech Eretz, the company that ...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
Tying double knot of garbarge bag
I remember seeing in a Shu"t that one is allowed to tie a double knot of something that will be going into the garbage since one doesn't care about it. Has anyone seen this opinion anywhere. I do know ...
9
votes
1answer
4k views
Can one extinguish Shabbat candles after dark if you a worried about an animal knocking it over and causing a fire?
If one lit Shabbat candles before dark, had them burning during dinner, and now wants to go to bed, but is worried that a cat or a dog might knock them over and cause a house fire; is it permissible ...
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vote
0answers
71 views
Heter to Work on 9 b’Av But No Bracha
Shulchan Aruch 554:23 says one is permitted to work even before chazot if he will lose money. 554:24 says he will not see a siman bracha from that work.
Why would the mechaber go out of his way to ...
0
votes
0answers
60 views
Sources discussing Trick Candles
Are there any rabbinic sources which discuss whether one can blow out a "trick candle" on Shabbat?
I see issues related to m'chabeh but also possibly mavir, but because the intent is not to relight, ...
2
votes
1answer
108 views
Is it permitted to turn off a time switch on Shabbos?
On a time switch (timer), there are generally two options: one which will ignore the time switch and let the current flow, and one which activates the timer.
In the case where the switch is on the ...
3
votes
1answer
331 views
Is one allowed to continue riding in a vehicle driven by a Gentile on Shabbat?
In reading this answer, I understand that there is no concern with riding on Shabbat.
Let's say that you are driving your car before Shabbat and you have a Gentile passenger. You won't reach your ...
3
votes
0answers
42 views
Extending gezeirot about melacha to other activities
I feel like this is too obvious even to ask (or that it is a dupe...) but here goes:
If we do not use already ground medicine on Shabbos for fear that we might come to grind medicine, then why can we ...
0
votes
2answers
154 views
What is the Jewish view of “work”?
What is the mainline Jewish view of "work"?
(1) Work is an just an option for those who have enough money to live on. The Torah may say "Six days shall you labor and do all your work&...
4
votes
1answer
212 views
Writing/drawing in the sand on Shabbos
The Mishnah (Shabbos 12:5) rules that writing in the sand is permitted:
כָּתַב בְּמַשְׁקִין, בְּמֵי פֵרוֹת, בַּאֲבַק דְּרָכִים, בַּאֲבַק הַסּוֹפְרִים, וּבְכָל דָּבָר שֶׁאֵינוֹ מִתְקַיֵּם, פָּטוּר
One ...
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0answers
57 views
May an electrolarynx be used on Shabbat and Yom Tov?
From this site:
An electronic larynx (electrolarynx), is a battery operated machine that produces sound for you to create a voice. There are many different makes and types, but they are usually about ...
5
votes
2answers
93 views
Rabbinical definition of “a clean and easy profession”
רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: לְעוֹלָם יְלַמֵּד אָדָם אֶת בְּנוֹ אֻמָּנוּת נְקִיָּה וְקַלָּה,
Rabbi Meir says: one should always teach his son
a clean and easy profession. (Mishna Kiddushin 4,14).
The ...
4
votes
1answer
204 views
Writing with dry erase marker on Shabbos, is it permitted?
Trying to figure out if I can use a dry erase marker for recreation and then erase whatever I wrote. Is this allowed?
1
vote
1answer
81 views
Pinhole Camera on Shabbos
I read somewhere that one of the reasons you can't take pictures on Shabbos is because of the melacha of Kotev/Writing.
Does this also apply to a pinhole camera which does create a temporary image ...
3
votes
1answer
79 views
Boreir by non-food items? [duplicate]
Rabbi Avrohom Davis' translation of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch has a footnote on the boreir paragraph in the chapter on melachos forbidden on Shabbos that says that the majority of poskim rule that ...
-1
votes
1answer
173 views
Dimmer Lights on Yom Tov
On Yom Tov, we are allowed to adjust fire (i.e. change the strength of the stove) so long as we do not completely turn the stove on or off.
Therefore, if a room’s lighting has a dimmer switch, would ...
1
vote
1answer
111 views
Could there be permission to write software on Chol Hamoed?
Is it permissible to write computer software code on Chol Hamoed?
3
votes
0answers
189 views
Watering flowers or vegetable on Chol Hamoed
The first mishna in Moed Katan delineates limitations on agricultural work that may be performed on the less sanctified intermediate days of a festival (chol hamoed). The Shulchan Aruch (OC 537) ...
4
votes
1answer
114 views
When to do the dishes- Yom Tov starting at Motzei Shabbat
Passover brings an interesting quandry this year- we go through a great many Kosher for Passover dishes at the Lail Pesach seder on Friday night, and then have a couple of meals on Saturday.
Given ...
4
votes
2answers
249 views
Benefiting from a Jew's meizid melacha on Shabbos
The introduction to the first volume of the English edition of Shmiras Shabbos k'Hilchaso states that a person who does melacha b'meizid on Shabbos is forever banned from benefiting from that melacha. ...
3
votes
1answer
77 views
Benefiting from a Jew's planting on Shabbos b'shogeg
The Preface - hakdama to the English edition of Volume 1 of Shmiras Shabbos k'Hilchaso writes that if a Jew b'shogeg (mistakenly) plants or sows a seed on Shabbos, or anything like that where some ...
2
votes
0answers
36 views
Melachot on the original Shabbat Hagadol
I have been informed, this morning, from two different sources, that the original Shabbat Hagadol was the Shabbat on the 10th of Nissan when the Children of Israel were preparing for the Exodus. They ...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
Why is making salt water prohibited on Shabbat?
I have read in a few hagadot, and I think in the OU Pesach guide that the salt water to be used for the seder must be prepared before Shabbat begins. That implied that there is some prohibition for ...
3
votes
1answer
63 views
Shouldn't each of the 38 melachos ALSO be considered “מכה בפטיש”?
It seems to me that one could argue that every melachah has an element of "מכה בפטיש" (final hammer blow/ completing an object by applying the finishing touches) to it.
As OU Torah explains:
The ...
3
votes
2answers
97 views
Creating songs in your head (lyrics and melodies) on Shaabath
What I've noticed is that when there is not too much to talk about with haShem, I get kinda 'hyper'. In this state I like to go a bit primal and just shout out some noises, do some clapping and stuff ...
3
votes
2answers
182 views
Does “borer” apply to people?
Let's say a group of people are sitting in a room. On Shabbat, are you allowed to categorize them into groups such as:
Herding Men away from woman e.g at a Kiddush with a mechitza in Shul (normally ...
1
vote
0answers
21 views
Animal sacrifices on Shabbat [duplicate]
Parashat Tetzaveh discusses the various offerings and sacrifices that are to be regularly given. Of these, two animal sacrifices must be enacted every day of the week:
Thus you shall do to Aaron and ...
