Question: It’s forbidden to have non-Jews do work for us on Shabbos, because amira l’nachri shvus (telling or a gentile do a forbidden act on Shabbos on behalf of a Jew, or even having them do it of their own initiative, is forbidden by rabbinic decree). How is it that many shuls have non-Jews doing work for them on Shabbos? Are they doing the wrong thing, or are there things that may be done by non-Jews?
Selected Halachos from the “One Minute Halacha” project By HaRav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, Shlita, Mara D’asra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights
Question: P’soles (waste or unwanted food) may not be separated from ochel (desirable food) on Shabbos due to the issur (prohibition) of the melacha of borer (selecting). When using a keli (utensil designed for separating), ochel may not be separated from psoles either. That being the case, may a non-electrical salad spinner be used to dry lettuce on Shabbos, since it separates the lettuce, ochel, and the water, p’soles?
There are two parts to the Torah: Torah sh’Bichsav (the Written Torah) and Torah shebe’al peh (the Oral Torah). The halacha is, “D’varim sh’Bichsav ee ata rashai le’omram al peh” (Verses from the written Torah may not be recited by heart); they should be read from a k’sav (a written text). However, the common custom is that people do recite verses from Torah sh’Bichsav be’al peh (by heart)—and there are no less than ten explanations given as to why and when it’s permitted.
A non-Jew may not be a mohel (ritual circumciser); only someone who is obligated to perform the mitzvah of bris mila (ritual circumcision) may perform it on others. If there is no Jew available to perform the bris mila, then the bris must be postponed—even beyond the eighth day—until a Jewish mohel can be found.
The halacha is that one may not turn their back to a Seifer Torah. According to many poskim, standing with one’s back to an aron ha’kodesh while it’s housing a Seifer Torah is inappropriate as well. This being the case, how come rabbanim (rabbis) are permitted to give drashos (sermons) facing the crowd, thereby standing with their backs to the aron ha’kodesh? In fact, at times, such as when reciting “Bo’i V’shalom” in the prayer of Lecha Dodi, all the congregants turn to face the opposite direction, standing briefly with their backs to the aron ha’kodesh.
The mitzvah of pru urvu (having children) is a very important mitzvah; in fact, it is the very first mitzvah mentioned in the Torah. In the words of the Alter Rebbe, the first mitzvah of the Torah is that one Jew should make another Jew. However, unfortunately there are people who face grave challenges in fulfilling this mitzvah, and have great difficulty receiving Hashem’s blessing to have children.
“I’m on my way to work,” the husband calls out to his wife, “That electrician is still working on the fuse box, so I’m leaving the door ajar. Remember not to close it until he leaves!” Ten minutes later, when morning traffic and a cool wind disturb her household tasks, the wife—forgetful of the stranger in the basement until he comes upstairs in a trail of dust—had locked the door.
“Hal’itehu l’rasha veyamus” (Stuff the wicked one so he may perish) is a troubling halachic concept that seems to offend our sensibilities as well as oppose Torah sources that urge us to feel responsibility for and offer rebuke to the wayward.
“Hakasher she’betabachim shutafo shel Amalek” ([Even] the most virtuous butchers are cohorts of [the evil nation] Amalek), states the Mishna. It is particularly difficult for sellers of poultry and meat—who stand to lose significantly if critical stock is found to be substandard—to avoid the temptation of fudging on the kosher status of meat they sell.
September 13, 2017