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Setting Timers Before Shabbat
Sources address the permissibility of initiating processes before Shabbat that continue operating automatically on Shabbat itself. Classical rabbinic sources establish principles for such pre-Shabbat setup, while later halakhic authorities apply these principles to weight-based timers and mechanical devices.
מותר להתחיל במלאכה בערב שבת והיא נגמרת מאליה בשבת
The Obligation and Significance of Shabbat Candle Lighting
These sources address the halachic requirements for lighting Shabbat candles before sunset, clarifying who bears primary obligation in the household and the spiritual dimensions of the practice. Both men and women are obligated, though women are particularly charged with the responsibility due to their presence in the home, and the candles serve as a means of sanctifying Shabbat while representing the divine light revealed on this holy day.
וְאֶחָד אֲנָשִׁים וְאֶחָד נָשִׁים חַיָּבִין לִהְיוֹת בְּבָתֵּיהֶן נֵר דָּלוּק בְּשַׁבָּת
Creating Sound on Shabbat
These sources examine the halakhic rules governing sound production on Shabbat, including the distinction between prohibited musical sounds and permitted incidental noise. They address how these principles apply to various devices and activities.
אָסוּר לְהַשְׁמִיעַ קוֹל שֶׁל שִׁיר אֶלָּא בְּפֶה בִּלְבָד
Non-Jewish Labor Set Before Shabbat
These sources address whether an Israelite may instruct or set up a non-Jew to perform labor that will continue or execute during Shabbat. The texts examine the distinctions between explicit instructions, hints, and work begun before Shabbat, as well as questions of benefit and intention.
כל מה שהוא אסור לעשותו בשבת אסור לומר לעכו״ם לעשותו
Using a Hotel Elevator on Shabbat
Sources discuss the permissibility of asking or benefiting from a non-Jew operating equipment on Shabbat, including the general prohibition against instructing a non-Jew to perform work, exceptions based on pikuach nefesh (saving a life), and the practical halakhic framework governing such situations.
כל דבר שאסור לעשות בשבת אסור לומר לנכרי
An Infirm Visitor and the Shabbat Elevator
Sources address whether a sick or disabled person may ride an elevator operated by a gentile on Shabbat, examining the permissibility of benefiting from a non-Jew's labor when illness or infirmity prevents normal use of stairs. The discussion centers on the rules of amirah le-akum (instructing a non-Jew) and when leniencies apply for those in pain or significant need.
חולה שנפל מחמת חלי למשכב ואין בו סכנה אומרים לעכו״ם לעשות לו
Using a Gentile-Operated Elevator on Shabbat
Jewish legal sources address the permissibility of benefiting from labor performed by a non-Jewish attendant on Shabbat, examining the principles of instructing a gentile (amira l'akum), indirect benefit (maaseh Shabbat), and practical distinctions based on the attendant's primary clientele and level of instruction.
אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: חָבֵר גּוֹי
Attending Celebrations During Year of Mourning
Sources address the halakhic status of a mourner's participation in festive meals and joyful gatherings during the year of aveilus, including the distinction between ordinary celebrations and those connected to mitzvot. The sources establish different time frames for various relatives and exceptions for obligatory communal or religious occasions.
אִם הָיְתָה חֲבוּרַת מִצְוָה אוֹ קִידּוּשׁ הַחוֹדֶשׁ מוּתָּר
Starting Work Before Shabbat That Continues Automatically
These sources examine whether one may begin a melacha (creative work) before Shabbat if the work will continue and complete by itself during Shabbat. The sources present the foundational permissibility of such pre-Shabbat initiated processes, alongside rabbinic restrictions and practical distinctions.
מֻתָּר לְהַתְחִיל מְלָאכָה מֵעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהִיא נִגְמֶרֶת מֵאֵלֶיהָ בְּשַׁבָּת
Mashing Cooked Foods on Shabbat
These sources address the halakhic status of crushing, grinding, and mashing soft or already-cooked foods on Shabbat, including whether such actions constitute the prohibited melacha of tochen (grinding) and under what circumstances mashing is permitted for immediate consumption.
שנתבשלו בקליפתן מותר לדוך
Sleeping in the Sukkah: Obligation and Exemptions
Sources discuss whether one must sleep in the sukkah during Sukkot, including what constitutes sufficient sleep, when discomfort or inability permits exemption, and the halakhic parameters of the dwelling obligation across different nights of the holiday.
אוֹכְלִין וְשׁוֹתִין וִישֵׁנִים בַּסֻּכָּה כָּל שִׁבְעָה
Amirah L'Akum: Instructing Non-Jews on Shabbat
Sources explore the rabbinic prohibition against asking a non-Jew to perform work on Shabbat, including early tannaitic foundations and later discussions of exceptions for cases involving illness, medical need, or matters of mitzvah. The sources address both Torah-level melachot and rabbinic prohibitions, with particular attention to leniencies that may apply when there is significant need.
אָסוּר לוֹמַר לְנָכְרִי לַעֲשׂוֹת לָנוּ מְלָאכָה בְּשַׁבָּת