Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, we begin learning the essential halachos of amirah l'akum—the Rabbinic prohibition against asking a non-Jew to perform melacha on Shabbos. Hashem commanded us to keep the Shabbos holy, and to protect this kedushah, the Sages forbade us from instructing a non-Jew to do work for us, even if we ask him before Shabbos and do not need the work done until after Shabbos is over.
We will also learn the guidelines for when a non-Jew performs a melacha on his own accord. The halachah distinguishes between a case where the non-Jew acts for his own benefit and a case where he acts specifically for a Yid. We will see how these principles apply to practical, everyday scenarios, such as a non-Jew lighting a candle, building a ramp, drawing water, or gathering grass on Shabbos.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
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אִסּוּר אֲמִירָה לְנָכְרִי לַעֲשׂוֹת מְלָאכָה בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 1 · The Prohibition of Instructing a Non-Jew to Perform Melacha on Shabbos
אָסוּרIt is forbiddenלוֹמַרto sayלְנָכְרִיto a non-Jewלַעֲשׂוֹתto performלָנוּfor usמְלָאכָהmelachaבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵינוֹhe is notמְצֻוֶּהcommandedעַלconcerningהַשַּׁבָּת.the Shabbosוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאָמַרhe toldלוֹhimמִקֹּדֶםbeforeהַשַּׁבָּת.the Shabbosוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵינוֹhe does notצָרִיךְneedלְאוֹתָהּthatמְלָאכָהmelachaאֶלָּאexceptלְאַחַרafterהַשַּׁבָּת.the Shabbosוְדָבָרand thingזֶהthisאָסוּרis forbiddenמִדִּבְרֵיfrom the words ofסוֹפְרִיםthe Sagesכְּדֵיsoשֶׁלֹּאthat notתִּהְיֶהit will beשַׁבָּתShabbosקַלָּהlightבְּעֵינֵיהֶןin their eyesוְיָבוֹאוּand they will comeלַעֲשׂוֹתto performבְּעַצְמָן:by themselves
This halacha establishes the Rabbinic prohibition against asking a non-Jew to perform melacha on Shabbos, even if instructed beforehand or needed only after Shabbos.
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הֲנָאָה מִמְּלָאכָה שֶׁעָשָׂה נָכְרִי בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 2 · Benefiting from Melacha Performed by a Non-Jew on Shabbos
נָכְרִיA non-Jewשֶׁעָשָׂהwho performedמְלָאכָהmelachaמֵעַצְמוֹon his ownבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאִםifבִּשְׁבִילfor the sake ofיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewעָשָׂהhe performedאוֹתָהּitאָסוּרit is forbiddenלֵהָנוֹתto benefitבְּאוֹתָהּfrom thatמְלָאכָהmelachaעַדuntilמוֹצָאֵיthe departure ofשַׁבָּתShabbosוְיַמְתִּיןand he waitsבִּכְדֵיthe amount of timeשֶׁתֵּעָשֶׂה.that it can be performedוְהוּאand thisשֶׁלֹּאis provided thatיְהֵאwill not beהַדָּבָרthe matterבְּפַרְהֶסְיָאin publicעַדto the extentשֶׁיֵּדְעוּthat knowבּוֹof itרַבִּיםmany peopleשֶׁדָּבָרthat thisזֶהthingבִּשְׁבִילfor the sake ofפְּלוֹנִיso-and-soהוּאitנַעֲשָׂהwas performedבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוְאִםand ifבִּשְׁבִילfor the sake ofעַצְמוֹhimselfבִּלְבַדaloneעָשָׂהhe performedמֻתָּרit is permittedלֵהָנוֹתto benefitבָּהּfrom itבְּשַׁבָּת:on Shabbos
This halacha details the prohibition of benefiting from melacha performed by a non-Jew on Shabbos on behalf of a Jew, and the permission to benefit if it was done for the non-Jew's own sake.
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הֲנָאָה מִמְּלֶאכֶת נָכְרִי בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 3 · Benefiting from Melacha Performed by a Non-Jew on Shabbos
כֵּיצַד.Howנָכְרִיa non-Jewשֶׁהִדְלִיקwho litאֶת—הַנֵּרthe candleמִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁmay useלְאוֹרוֹits lightיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewוְאִםand ifבִּשְׁבִילfor the sake ofיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewאָסוּר.it is forbiddenעָשָׂהIf he madeנָכְרִיa non-Jewכֶּבֶשׁa rampלֵירֵדto descendבּוֹon itמִןfromהַסְּפִינָהthe shipיֵרֵדmay descendאַחֲרָיוafter himיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewוְאִםand ifבִּשְׁבִילfor the sake ofיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewאָסוּר.it is forbiddenמִלֵּאIf he filledמַיִםwaterלְהַשְׁקוֹתto waterבְּהֶמְתּוֹhis animalמַשְׁקֶהmay waterאַחֲרָיוafter himיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewוְאִםand ifבִּשְׁבִילfor the sake ofיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewאָסוּר.it is forbiddenלִקֵּטIf he gatheredעֲשָׂבִיםgrassלְהַאֲכִילto feedלִבְהֶמְתּוֹhis animalמַנִּיחַmay leaveיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewבְּהֶמְתּוֹhis animalלֶאֱכלto eatמֵהֶן.from themוְהוּאand this isשֶׁלֹּאprovided that notיְהֵאwill beאוֹתוֹhimהַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewמַכִּירacquaintedלְאוֹתוֹwith thatיִשְׂרָאֵלJewשֶׁמָּאlestיַרְבֶּהhe will increaseבִּמְלַאכְתּוֹin his melachaבִּשְׁבִילוֹfor his sakeוְנִמְצָאand it turns outעוֹשֶׂהhe is doingבִּשְׁבִילfor the sake ofיִשְׂרָאֵל.a Jewוְכֵןand soכָּלanyדָּבָרthingשֶׁאֶפְשָׁרthat is possibleלְהַרְבּוֹתto increaseבּוֹin itלֹאone may notיֵהָנֶהbenefitבּוֹfrom itבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·אֵינוֹhe does notמַכִּירוֹ:know him
This halacha outlines the rules for when a Jew may benefit from a melacha performed by a non-Jew on Shabbos, distinguishing between actions done for the non-Jew's own benefit and those done specifically for a Jew.
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הֲנָאָה מִמְּלֶאכֶת נָכְרִי בְּשַׁבָּת וְכִבּוּי דְּלֵקָה עַל יָדוֹHalacha 4 · Benefiting from a Non-Jew's Labor and Extinguishing a Fire on Shabbos
אֲבָלButדָּבָרa matterשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notבּוֹin itלְהַרְבּוֹתto increaseוּלְמַעֵטand to decreaseכְּגוֹןsuch asנֵרa lampוְכֶבֶשׁand a rampהוֹאִילsinceוְעָשָׂהhe madeבִּשְׁבִילfor the sake ofעַצְמוֹhimselfנֶהֱנֶהmay benefitאַחֲרָיוafter himיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאthat heמַכִּירוֹ.knows himנֵרA lampהַדָּלוּקthat is litבִּמְסִבָּהat a gatheringבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosאִםifרֹבthe majorityיִשְׂרָאֵלare Jewsאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁto useלְאוֹרָהּits lightשֶׁהַמַּדְלִיקfor the one who kindlesעַלwithדַּעַתthe intent ofהָרֹבthe majorityמַדְלִיק.kindlesוְאִםand ifרֹבthe majorityנָכְרִיםare non-Jewsמֻתָּרit is permittedלְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁto useלְאוֹרָהּ.its lightמֶחֱצָהhalfלְמֶחֱצָהto halfאָסוּר.it is forbiddenנָפְלָהIf fellדְּלֵקָהa fireבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוּבָאand cameנָכְרִיa non-Jewלְכַבּוֹתto extinguishאֵיןwe do notאוֹמְרִיןsayלוֹto himכַּבֵּהextinguishוְאַלand do notתְּכַבֶּהextinguishמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notשְׁבִיתָתוֹhis restingעָלֵינוּ.upon usוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאthat is similarבָּזֶה:to this
This halacha discusses when a Jew may benefit from a non-Jew's Shabbos labor and the rule that a Jew is not responsible for a non-Jew's resting.
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מֵת שֶׁעָשׂוּ לוֹ נָכְרִים אָרוֹן וְקֶבֶר בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 5 · A Coffin or Grave Made by Non-Jews on Shabbos
מֵתA deceasedשֶׁעָשׂוּfor whom madeלוֹfor himנָכְרִיםnon-Jewsאָרוֹןa coffinוְחָפְרוּor dugלוֹfor himקֶבֶרa graveבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאוֹorהֵבִיאוּbroughtלוֹfor himחֲלִילִיןflutesלִסְפֹּדto lamentבָּהֶן.with themאִםifבְּצִנְעָהin privateיַמְתִּיןhe must waitבִּכְדֵיthe amount of timeשֶׁיֵּעָשׂוּthat they can be madeלְמוֹצָאֵיat the departure ofשַׁבָּתShabbosוְיִקָּבֵרand he may be buriedבּוֹ.in itוְאִםbut ifהָיָהwasהַקֶּבֶרthe graveבִּסְרַטְיָאin a public squareגְּדוֹלָהlargeוְהָאָרוֹןand the coffinעַלuponגַּבָּיוits topוְכָלand allהָעוֹבְרִיןthose who passוְהַשָּׁבִיןand those who returnאוֹמְרִיםsayשֶׁזֶּהthat thisשֶׁהַנָּכְרִיםwhich the non-Jewsעוֹשִׂיןare doingעַכְשָׁוnowבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosלִפְלוֹנִיfor so-and-soהוּא.it isהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisלֹאnotיִקָּבֵרshall be buriedבּוֹin itאוֹתוֹthatיִשְׂרָאֵלJewעוֹלָמִית.everמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat it isבְּפַרְהֶסְיָא.in publicוּמֻתָּרbut it is permittedלִקְבֹּרto buryבּוֹin itיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewאַחֵרanotherוְהוּאprovidedשֶׁיַּמְתִּיןthat he waitsבִּכְדֵיthe amount of timeשֶׁיֵּעָשֶׂה.that it can be madeוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּזֶה:to this
If a non-Jew performs melacha for a deceased Jew on Shabbos, the halacha depends on whether it was done in private or in public.
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חֲלִילִין שֶׁהֱבִיאָם נָכְרִי בְּשַׁבָּת לְצֹרֶךְ הַמֵּתHalacha 6 · Flutes Brought by a Non-Jew on Shabbos for a Deceased Person
נָכְרִיA non-Jewשֶׁהֵבִיאwho broughtחֲלִילִיןflutesבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosלְמֵתfor a deceasedאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהֱבִיאָןhe brought themמִצַּדfrom the side ofהַחוֹמָהthe wallיַמְתִּיןhe must waitלְמוֹצָאֵיfor the departure ofשַׁבָּתShabbosבִּכְדֵיthe amount of timeשֶׁיָּבוֹאthat it takes to comeמִמָּקוֹםfrom a placeקָרוֹבcloseוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatיִסְפְּדוּthey may eulogizeבָּהֶן.with themשֶׁמָּאlestבַּלַּיְלָהat nightהֱבִיאוּםthey brought themמִמָּקוֹםfrom a placeאַחֵרotherעַדuntilהַחוֹמָהthe wallוּבַבֹּקֶרand in the morningנִכְנְסוּthey enteredבָּהֶן.with themוְאִםand ifיָדַעhe knewבְּוַדַּאיwith certaintyשֶׁמִּמָּקוֹםthat from a placeפְּלוֹנִיcertainהֱבִיאוּםthey brought themבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosיַמְתִּיןhe must waitבִּכְדֵיthe amount of timeשֶׁיָּבוֹאוּthat they can comeמֵאוֹתוֹfrom thatמָקוֹםplaceאַחַרafterהַשַּׁבָּת.the Shabbosוְהוּאand this isשֶׁלֹּאthat notיְהֵאit should beהַדָּבָרthe matterבִּסְרַטְיָאin a public squareגְּדוֹלָהlargeכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁאָמַרְנוּ:we said
This halacha discusses the requirement to wait after Shabbos for the time it takes to bring flutes from their source before they may be used for a funeral.
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רְחִיצָה בְּמֶרְחָץ שֶׁהוּחַם בְּשַׁבָּת עַל יְדֵי נָכְרִיםHalacha 7 · Bathing on Motzei Shabbos in a Bathhouse Heated on Shabbos by Non-Jews
עִירA cityשֶׁיִּשְׂרָאֵלthat Jewsוְנָכְרִיםand non-Jewsדָּרִיןdwellבְּתוֹכָהּwithin itוְהָיְתָהand there wasבָּהּin itמֶרְחָץa bathhouseהַמַּרְחֶצֶתthat washesבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosאִםifרֹבthe majorityנָכְרִיםare non-Jewsמֻתָּרit is permittedלִרְחֹץto batheבָּהּin itלְמוֹצָאֵיat the departure ofשַׁבָּתShabbosמִיָּד.immediatelyוְאִםand ifרֹבthe majorityיִשְׂרָאֵלare Jewsיַמְתִּיןone must waitבִּכְדֵיthe time it takesשֶׁיֵּחַמּוּfor them to heatחַמִּין.hot waterשֶׁבִּשְׁבִילbecause forהָרֹבthe majorityהוּחַמּוּ.they were heatedמֶחֱצָהhalfלְמֶחֱצָהto halfיַמְתִּיןone must waitבִּכְדֵיthe time it takesשֶׁיֵּחַמּוּfor them to heatחַמִּין.hot waterוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּזֶה:to this
This halacha details the rules for using a bathhouse on Motzei Shabbos that was operated on Shabbos by non-Jews, depending on whether the majority of the city's residents are Jewish or non-Jewish.
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הֲנָאָה מִמְּלָאכָה שֶׁנַּעֲשְׂתָה עַל יְדֵי נָכְרִי בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 8 · Benefiting on Saturday Night from Melacha Performed by a Non-Jew on Shabbos
יִשְׂרָאֵלA Jewשֶׁאָמַרwho toldלְנָכְרִיa non-Jewלַעֲשׂוֹתto performלוֹfor himמְלָאכָהmelachaזוֹthisבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁעָבַרhe transgressedוּמַכִּיןand they lashאוֹתוֹhimמַכַּתstripes ofמַרְדּוּתrebellionמֻתָּרit is permittedלוֹfor himלֵהָנוֹתto benefitבְּאוֹתָהּfrom thatמְלָאכָהmelachaלָעֶרֶבin the eveningאַחַרafterשֶׁיַּמְתִּיןhe waitsבִּכְדֵיthe timeשֶׁתֵּעָשֶׂה.it takes to be performedוְלֹאAnd notאָסְרוּdid they forbidבְּכָלin anyמָקוֹםplaceעַדuntilשֶׁיַּמְתִּיןhe waitsבִּכְדֵיthe timeשֶׁיֵּעָשׂוּit takes to be performedאֶלָּאunlessמִפְּנֵיbecause ofדָּבָרmatterזֶה.thisשֶׁאִםthat ifתֹּאמַרyou sayיְהֵאit shall beמֻתָּרpermittedמִיָּדimmediatelyשֶׁמָּאperhapsיֹאמַרhe will tellלְנָכְרִיa non-Jewלַעֲשׂוֹתto performלוֹfor himוְיִמְצָאand he will findהַדָּבָרthe thingמוּכָןreadyמִיָּד.immediatelyוְכֵיוָןAnd sinceשֶׁאָסְרוּthey forbadeעַדuntilשֶׁיַּמְתִּיןhe waitsבִּכְדֵיthe timeשֶׁיֵּעָשׂוּit takes to be performedלֹאnotיֹאמַרwill he tellלְנָכְרִיa non-Jewלַעֲשׂוֹתto performלוֹfor himשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdאֵינוֹhe does notמִשְׂתַּכֵּרgainכְּלוּםanythingמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאheמִתְעַכֵּבis delayedלָעֶרֶבin the eveningבִּכְדֵיthe timeשֶׁיֵּעָשֶׂהit takes to be performedדָּבָרthingזֶהthisשֶׁנַּעֲשָׂהthat was performedבְּשַׁבָּת:on Shabbos
This halacha explains the Rabbinic prohibition of instructing a non-Jew to perform melacha on Shabbos, and the requirement to wait on Saturday night the time it takes to perform that labor before benefiting from it.
הל׳ ט
אֲמִירָה לְנָכְרִי בִּשְׁבוּת דִּשְׁבוּת בִּמְקוֹם מִצְוָה אוֹ צֹרֶךְHalacha 9 · Instructing a Non-Jew to Perform a Rabbinically Forbidden Act for a Mitzvah or Great Need
דָּבָרA matterשֶׁאֵינוֹthat is notמְלָאכָהmelachaוְאֵיןand is notאָסוּרforbiddenלַעֲשׂוֹתוֹto do itבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאֶלָּאexceptמִשּׁוּםbecause ofשְׁבוּתshvutמֻתָּרit is permittedלְיִשְׂרָאֵלfor a Jewלוֹמַרto tellלְנָכְרִיa non-Jewלַעֲשׂוֹתוֹto do itבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosוְהוּאand thisשֶׁיִּהְיֶהis provided that there isשָׁםthereמִקְצָתsomeחֹלִיillnessאוֹorיִהְיֶהthere isצָרִיךְneedלַדָּבָרfor the matterצֹרֶךְa needהַרְבֵּהgreatאוֹorמִפְּנֵיbecause ofמִצְוָה:a mitzvah
The Rambam rules that one may instruct a non-Jew to perform an action that is only Rabbinically forbidden on Shabbos, provided there is a mitzvah, great need, or minor illness involved.
הל׳ י
אֲמִירָה לְנָכְרִי בִּשְׁבוּת דִּמְקוֹם מִצְוָהHalacha 10 · Instructing a Non-Jew to Perform a Rabbinic Prohibition for a Mitzvah
כֵּיצַד.Howאוֹמֵרsaysיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewלְנָכְרִיto a non-Jewבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosלַעֲלוֹתto climbבָּאִילָןin a treeאוֹorלָשׁוּטto swimעַלuponפְּנֵיthe surface ofהַמַּיִםthe waterכְּדֵיin orderלְהָבִיאto bringלוֹto himשׁוֹפָר.a shofarאוֹorסַכִּיןa knifeלְמִילָה.for circumcisionאוֹorמֵבִיאhe bringsלוֹto himמֵחָצֵרfrom a courtyardלְחָצֵרto a courtyardשֶׁאֵיןthat there is noעֵרוּבeruvבֵּינֵיהֶןbetween themמַיִםwaterחַמִּיןhotלְהַרְחִיץto washבָּהֶםwith themקָטָןa childוּמִצְטַעֵר.or one in painוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּזֶה:to this
The Rambam explains that one may instruct a non-Jew to perform a Rabbinically forbidden act on Shabbos for the sake of a mitzvah, such as bringing a shofar or circumcision knife.
הל׳ יא
אֲמִירָה לְנָכְרִי בְּשַׁבָּת לְצֹרֶךְ יִשּׁוּב אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵלHalacha 11 · Instructing a Non-Jew on Shabbos for the Sake of Settling Eretz Yisrael
הַלּוֹקֵחַOne who buysבַּיִתa houseבְּאֶרֶץin the Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelמִןfromהַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewמֻתָּרit is permittedלוֹfor himלוֹמַרto tellלַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewלִכְתֹּבto writeלוֹfor himשְׁטָרa deedבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosשֶׁאֲמִירָהfor tellingלְנָכְרִיa non-Jewבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאֲסוּרָהis forbiddenמִדִּבְרֵיהֶםby Rabbinic decreeוּמִשּׁוּםand because ofיִשּׁוּבthe settling ofאֶרֶץthe Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלֹאnotגָּזְרוּdid they decreeבְּדָבָרon a matterזֶה.thisוְכֵןand likewiseהַלּוֹקֵחַone who buysבַּיִתa houseמֵהֶםfrom themבְּסוּרְיָא,in Syriaשֶׁסּוּרְיָאfor Syriaכְּאֶרֶץis like the Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלְדָבָרfor a matterזֶה:this
The Sages waived the Rabbinic prohibition of instructing a non-Jew to perform labor on Shabbos when it facilitates purchasing property in Eretz Yisrael or Syria.
הל׳ יב
הֶתֵּר קַבְּלָנוּת וּשְׂכִירוּת לִזְמַן אָרֹךְ עִם נָכְרִיHalacha 12 · Permissibility of Contracting and Long-Term Hiring of a Non-Jew
פּוֹסֵקcontractsאָדָםa personעִםwithהַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewעַלforהַמְּלָאכָהthe melachaוְקוֹצֵץand setsדָּמִיםa priceוְהַנָּכְרִיand the non-Jewעוֹשֶׂהactsלְעַצְמוֹfor himselfוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאthat heעוֹשֶׂהdoesבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמֻתָּר.it is permittedוְכֵןand similarlyהַשּׂוֹכֵרone who hiresאֶת—הַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewלְיָמִיםfor daysהַרְבֵּהmanyמֻתָּרit is permittedאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאthat heעוֹשֶׂהdoesבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosכֵּיצַד.how soכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁשָּׂכַרthat he hiredהַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewלְשָׁנָהfor a yearאוֹorלִשְׁתַּיִםfor twoשֶׁיִּכְתֹּבthat he should writeלוֹfor himאוֹorשֶׁיֶּאֱרֹגthat he should weaveלוֹ.for himהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneכּוֹתֵבwritesוְאוֹרֵגand weavesבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedכְּאִלּוּas ifקָצַץhe contractedעִמּוֹwith himשֶׁיִּכְתֹּבthat he should writeלוֹfor himסֵפֶרa bookאוֹorשֶׁיֶּאֱרֹגthat he should weaveלוֹfor himבֶּגֶדa garmentשֶׁהוּאthat heעוֹשֶׂהdoesבְּכָלat anyעֵתtimeשֶׁיִּרְצֶה.that he wishesוְהוּאand this isשֶׁלֹּאprovided that notיַחְשֹׁבhe calculatesעִמּוֹwith himיוֹםdayיוֹם:by day
This halacha explains that when a non-Jew is hired as a contractor or on a long-term retainer rather than a daily wage, he is considered to be working on Shabbos for his own benefit, which is permitted.
הל׳ יג
אִסּוּר מְלָאכָה עַל יְדֵי נָכְרִי בְּפַרְהֶסְיָאHalacha 13 · The Prohibition of a Non-Jew Performing Labor Publicly on Shabbos
בַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבְּצִנְעָהin privateשֶׁאֵיןthat notמַכִּירִיםrecognizeהַכּלeveryoneשֶׁזּוֹthat thisהַמְּלָאכָהthe melachaהַנַּעֲשֵׂיתthat is doneבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosשֶׁלofיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewהִיא.it isאֲבָלbutאִםifהָיְתָהit wasיְדוּעָהknownוּגְלוּיָהand revealedוּמְפֻרְסֶמֶתand publicאֲסוּרָהit is forbiddenשֶׁהָרוֹאֶהfor the observerאֶת—הַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewעוֹסֵקengagedאֵינוֹis notיוֹדֵעַknowingשֶׁקָּצַץthat he contractedוְאוֹמֵרand saysשֶׁפְּלוֹנִיthat so-and-soשָׂכַרhiredהַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewלַעֲשׂוֹתto doלוֹfor himמְלָאכָהmelachaבְּשַׁבָּת:on Shabbos
This halacha explains that a contractor's work is only permitted if done in private, but is forbidden if the public nature of the work leads observers to assume the Jew hired him for daily labor on Shabbos.
הל׳ יד
קַבְּלָנוּת עִם נָכְרִי בְּשַׁבָּת בְּתוֹךְ הַתְּחוּם וְחוּץ לַתְּחוּםHalacha 14 · Contracting with a Non-Jew for Labor Within and Outside the Shabbos Limit
לְפִיכָךְThereforeהַפּוֹסֵקone who contractsעִםwithהַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewלִבְנוֹתto buildלוֹfor himחֲצֵרוֹhis courtyardאוֹorכָּתְלוֹhis wallאוֹorלִקְצֹרto harvestאֶת—שָׂדֵהוּhis fieldאוֹorשֶׁשְּׂכָרוֹwho hired himשָׁנָהa yearאוֹorשְׁתַּיִםtwoלִבְנוֹתto buildלוֹfor himחָצֵרa courtyardאוֹorלִטַּעto plantלוֹfor himכֶּרֶם.a vineyardאִםifהָיְתָהwasהַמְּלָאכָהthe melachaבַּמְּדִינָהin the cityאוֹorבְּתוֹךְwithinהַתְּחוּםthe Shabbos limitאָסוּרit is forbiddenלוֹfor himלַהֲנִיחָןto allow themלַעֲשׂוֹתto workבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמִפְּנֵיbecause ofהָרוֹאִיםthe onlookersשֶׁאֵינָםwho do notיוֹדְעִיםknowשֶׁפָּסַק.that he contractedוְאִםand ifהָיְתָהwasהַמְּלָאכָהthe melachaחוּץoutsideלַתְּחוּםthe Shabbos limitמֻתָּרit is permittedשֶׁאֵיןsince there are notשָׁםthereיִשְׂרָאֵלJewsשֶׁיִּרְאֶהwho will seeאֶת—הַפּוֹעֲלִיןthe laborersכְּשֶׁהֵןwhen theyעוֹשִׂיןare workingבְּשַׁבָּת:on Shabbos
This halacha discusses the prohibition of allowing a non-Jewish contractor to perform labor on Shabbos within the Shabbos limit due to the appearance of wrongdoing.
הל׳ טו
הַשְׂכָּרַת קַרְקַע וּמֶרְחָץ לְנָכְרִי בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 15 · Hiring Out Fields and Businesses to a Non-Jew for Shabbos
וְכֵןAnd soמֻתָּרit is permittedלְאָדָםfor a personלְהַשְׂכִּירto hire outכַּרְמוֹhis vineyardאוֹorשָׂדֵהוּhis fieldלְנָכְרִיto a non-Jewאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאthat heזוֹרְעָןsows themוְנוֹטְעָןand plants themבְּשַׁבָּת.on Shabbosשֶׁהָרוֹאֶהsince the onlookerיוֹדֵעַknowsשֶׁשְּׂכוּרִיןthat hiredהֵןthey areאוֹorבַּאֲרִיסוּתunder sharecroppingנָתַןhe gaveלָהֶן.to themוְדָבָרbut a thingשֶׁשֵּׁםthat the name ofיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewבְּעָלָיוits ownerקָרוּיis calledעָלָיוupon itוְאֵיןand it is notדֶּרֶךְthe way ofרֹבmost ofאַנְשֵׁיthe people ofאוֹתוֹthatהַמָּקוֹםplaceלְהַשְׂכִּירוֹto hire it outאוֹorלִתְּנוֹto give itבַּאֲרִיסוּתunder sharecroppingאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְהַשְׂכִּירוֹto hire it outלְנָכְרִי.to a non-Jewמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהַנָּכְרִיthat the non-Jewעוֹשֶׂהdoesבְּאוֹתוֹin thatהַמָּקוֹםplaceמְלָאכָהmelachaבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוְהוּאand itנִקְרָאis calledעַלbyשֵׁםthe name ofהַיִּשְׂרָאֵלthe Jewבְּעָלָיו:its owner
This halacha delineates when a Jew may rent out his property to a non-Jew who will work it on Shabbos, depending on whether onlookers will assume the non-Jew is a hired day-laborer.
הל׳ טז
הַשְׁאָלַת וְהַשְׂכָּרַת כֵּלִים וּבְהֵמָה לְנָכְרִי לִפְנֵי שַׁבָּתHalacha 16 · Lending and Hiring Out Utensils and Animals to a Non-Jew Before Shabbos
מֻתָּרIt is permittedלְהַשְׁאִילto lendכֵּלִיםutensilsוּלְהַשְׂכִּירָןand to hire them outלְנָכְרִיto a non-Jewוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאheעוֹשֶׂהperformsבָּהֶןwith themמְלָאכָהmelachaבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאֵין·אָנוּweמְצֻוִּיםare not commandedעַלconcerningשְׁבִיתַתthe resting ofהַכֵּלִים.the utensilsאֲבָלbutבְּהֶמְתּוֹone's animalוְעַבְדּוֹand one's servantאָסוּרit is forbiddenמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאָנוּweמְצֻוִּיןare commandedעַלconcerningשְׁבִיתַתthe resting ofבְּהֵמָהan animalוְעֶבֶד:and a servant
This halacha explains that while a Jew's utensils are not required to rest on Shabbos, his animals and servants are commanded to rest.
הל׳ יז
דִּין שֻׁתָּפוּת עִם נָכְרִי בִּמְלָאכָה וּבַחֲנוּת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 17 · The Law of Partnering with a Non-Jew in Labor or a Shop on Shabbos
הַמִּשְׁתַּתֵּףOne who partnersעִםwithהַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewבִּמְלָאכָהin laborאוֹorבִּסְחוֹרָהin merchandiseאוֹorבַּחֲנוּת.in a shopאִםifהִתְנוּthey stipulatedבַּתְּחִלָּהat the beginningשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat there shall beשְׂכַרthe profit ofהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosלַנָּכְרִיto the non-Jewלְבַדּוֹaloneאִםwhetherמְעַטlittleאִםorהַרְבֵּהmuchוּשְׂכַרand the profit ofיוֹםdayאַחֵרanotherכְּנֶגֶדcorresponding toיוֹםthe day ofהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosלְיִשְׂרָאֵלto the Jewלְבַדּוֹaloneמֻתָּר.it is permittedוְאִםand ifלֹאnotהִתְנוּthey stipulatedבַּתְּחִלָּה.at the beginningכְּשֶׁיָּבוֹאוּwhen they comeלַחֲלֹקto divideנוֹטֵלtakesהַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewשְׂכַרthe profit ofהַשַּׁבָּתוֹתthe Shabbosesכֻּלָּןall of themלְבַדּוֹaloneוְהַשְּׁאָרand the remainderחוֹלְקִיןthey divideאוֹתוֹ.itוְאֵינוֹand he does notמוֹסִיףaddלוֹto himכְּלוּםanythingכְּנֶגֶדcorresponding toיוֹםthe day ofהַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·הִתְנוּthey stipulatedבַּתְּחִלָּה.at the beginningוְכֵןand likewiseאִםifקִבְּלוּthey share-croppedשָׂדֶהa fieldבְּשֻׁתָּפוּתin partnershipדִּיןlawאֶחָדoneהוּא:it is
This halacha outlines the conditions under which a Jew may partner with a non-Jew in a business or field, requiring a stipulation at the outset to allocate Shabbos profits exclusively to the non-Jew.
הל׳ יח
חֲלֻקַּת שְׂכַר שֻׁתָּפוּת עִם נָכְרִי וְעִסְקֵי מָעוֹת בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 18 · Dividing Partnership Profits with a Non-Jew and Investing Funds Used on Shabbos
וְאִםAnd ifלֹאnotהִתְּנוּthey stipulatedוּבָאוּand they cameלַחֲלֹקto divideהַשָּׂכָרthe profitוְלֹאand notהָיָהwasשְׂכַרthe profit ofשַׁבָּתShabbosיָדוּעַknownיֵרָאֶהit appearsלִיto meשֶׁהַנָּכְרִיthat the non-Jewנוֹטֵלtakesלְבַדּוֹaloneשְׁבִיעִיתa seventh ofהַשָּׂכָרthe profitוְהַשְּׁאָרand the remainderחוֹלְקִין.they divideהַנּוֹתֵןOne who givesמָעוֹתmoneyלְנָכְרִיto a non-Jewלְהִתְעַסֵּקto do businessבָּהֶןwith themאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהַנָּכְרִיthat the non-Jewנוֹשֵׂאbuysוְנוֹתֵןand sellsבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosחוֹלֵקhe dividesעִמּוֹwith himבַּשָּׂכָרin the profitבְּשָׁוֶהequallyוְכֵןand soהוֹרוּruledכָּלall ofהַגְּאוֹנִים:the Geonim
This halacha discusses how to divide partnership profits when no prior Shabbos stipulation was made, and the permissibility of investing funds with a non-Jew who conducts business on Shabbos.
הל׳ יט
מְסִירַת כֵּלִים וַחֲפָצִים לְנָכְרִי בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּתHalacha 19 · Giving Utensils and Selling Articles to a Non-Jew on Friday
לֹאNotיִתֵּןshall giveאָדָםa personבְּעֶרֶבon the eve ofשַׁבָּתShabbosכֵּלִיםutensilsלְאֻמָּןto an artisanנָכְרִיnon-Jewלַעֲשׂוֹתָןto make themאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁפָּסַקthat he agreedעִמּוֹ.with himאֶלָּאunlessבִּכְדֵיin enough timeשֶׁיֵּצֵאthat he can go outבָּהֶןwith themמִבֵּיתוֹfrom his houseקֹדֶםbeforeשֶׁחֲשֵׁכָה.it gets darkוְכֵןAnd likewiseלֹאnotיִמְכֹּרshall sellאָדָםa personחֲפָצָיוhis articlesלְנָכְרִיto a non-Jewוְלֹאand notיַשְׁאִילֶנּוּshall he lend himוְלֹאand notיַלְוֶנּוּshall he loan himוְלֹאand notיְמַשְׁכְּנֶנּוּshall he pawn to himוְלֹאand notיִתֵּןshall he giveלוֹto himבְּמַתָּנָהas a giftאֶלָּאunlessבִּכְדֵיin enough timeשֶׁיֵּצֵאthat he can go outבְּאוֹתוֹwith thatחֵפֶץarticleמִפֶּתַחfrom the entrance ofבֵּיתוֹhis houseקֹדֶםbeforeהַשַּׁבָּת.the Shabbosשֶׁכָּלfor allזְמַןthe timeשֶׁהוּאthat he isבְּבֵיתוֹin his houseאֵיןnoאָדָםmanיוֹדֵעַknowsאֵימָתַיwhenנָתַןhe gaveלוֹto himוּכְשֶׁיֵּצֵאand when goes outהַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewמִבֵּיתוֹfrom his houseבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוְחֵפֶץwith the article ofיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewבְּיָדוֹin his handיֵרָאֶהit will appearכְּמִיlike oneשֶׁהִלְּוָהוּwho loaned himלַנָּכְרִיto the non-Jewאוֹorמִשְׁכְּנוֹpawned to himאוֹorפָּסַקagreedעִמּוֹwith himאוֹorמָכַרsoldלוֹto himבְּשַׁבָּת:on Shabbos
This halacha prohibits giving items to a non-Jew on Friday unless there is sufficient time for the non-Jew to leave the Jew's home with the item before Shabbos begins, to avoid the appearance of transacting on Shabbos.
הל׳ כ
דִּינֵי שְׁלִיחַת אִגֶּרֶת עַל יְדֵי נָכְרִי בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּתHalacha 20 · Sending a Letter with a Non-Jew on Erev Shabbos
הַנּוֹתֵןOne who givesאִגֶּרֶתa letterלְנָכְרִיto a non-Jewלְהוֹלִיכָהּto bring itלְעִירto a cityאַחֶרֶתanotherאִםifקָצַץhe fixedעִמּוֹwith himשְׂכַרthe fee ofהוֹלָכָהconveyanceמֻתָּר.it is permittedוַאֲפִלּוּand evenנְתָנָהּhe gave itלוֹto himעֶרֶבon eve ofשַׁבָּתShabbosעִםwithחֲשֵׁכָה.nightfallוְהוּאand this isשֶׁיֵּצֵאprovided that he goes outבָּהּwith itמִפֶּתַחfrom the entrance ofבֵּיתוֹhis houseקֹדֶםbeforeהַשַּׁבָּת.the Shabbosוְאִםand ifלֹאhe did notקָצַץfixאִםifיֵשׁthere isבַּמְּדִינָהin the cityאָדָםa personקָבוּעַdesignatedשֶׁהוּאwhoמְקַבֵּץcollectsהָאִגְּרוֹתthe lettersוְשׁוֹלֵחַand sendsאוֹתָםthemלְכָלto everyמְדִינָהprovinceוּמְדִינָהand provinceעִםwithשְׁלוּחָיוhis messengersמֻתָּרit is permittedלִתֵּןto giveלַנָּכְרִיto the non-Jewהָאִגֶּרֶת.the letterוְהוּאand this isשֶׁיִּהְיֶהprovided that there isשְׁהוּתtimeבַּיּוֹםin the dayכְּדֵיenoughשֶׁיַּגִּיעַfor it to reachלַבַּיִתto the houseהַסָּמוּךְadjacentלַחוֹמָהto the wallקֹדֶםbeforeהַשַּׁבָּת.the Shabbosשֶׁמָּאlestזֶהthis oneשֶׁמְּקַבֵּלwho receivesהָאִגְּרוֹתthe lettersוְשׁוֹלְחָןand sends themבֵּיתוֹhis houseסָמוּךְadjacentלַחוֹמָהto the wallהוּא.it isוְאִםand ifאֵיןthere is notשָׁםthereאָדָםa personקָבוּעַdesignatedלְכָךְfor thisאֶלָּאbutהַנָּכְרִיthe non-Jewשֶׁנּוֹתְנִיןwhom they giveלוֹto himהָאִגֶּרֶתthe letterהוּאheשֶׁמּוֹלִיכָהּis the one who brings itלְעִירto a cityאַחֶרֶתanotherאָסוּרit is forbiddenלִשְׁלֹחַto sendבְּיַדby the hand ofנָכְרִיa non-Jewהָאִגֶּרֶתthe letterלְעוֹלָםalwaysאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·קָצַץhe fixedלוֹfor himדָּמִים:a price
This halacha details the conditions under which a Jew may send a letter with a non-Jew before Shabbos, distinguishing between cases with a fixed fee and those without.
הל׳ כא
הַכְנָסַת חֲפָצִים עַל יְדֵי נָכְרִי וְהַאֲכָלָתוֹ בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 21 · Bringing Vessels by a Non-Jew and Feeding Him on Shabbos
נָכְרִיA non-Jewשֶׁהֵבִיאwho broughtחֲפָצָיוhis vesselsבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosוְהִכְנִיסָןand brought them inלְבֵיתto the house ofיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewמֻתָּר.it is permissibleוַאֲפִלּוּand evenאָמַרif he saidלוֹto himהַנִּיחָןplace themבְּזָוִיתin a cornerזוֹthisהֲרֵיthereזֶהit is permissibleמֻתָּר.And we may inviteוּמְזַמְּנִין—אֶתthe non-Jewהַנָּכְרִיon Shabbosבְּשַׁבָּתand we may placeוְנוֹתְנִיןbefore himלְפָנָיוfoodמְזוֹנוֹתto eat themלְאָכְלָן.and ifוְאִםhe took themנְטָלָןand went outוְיָצָאwe do notאֵיןconcern ourselvesנִזְקָקִיןwith himלוֹbecauseמִפְּנֵיthat notשֶׁאֵיןhis restingשְׁבִיתָתוֹis upon usעָלֵינוּ.And soוְכֵןwe may placeנוֹתְנִיןfoodמְזוֹנוֹתbeforeלִפְנֵיthe dogהַכֶּלֶבin the courtyardבֶּחָצֵרand ifוְאִםit took themנְטָלָןand went outוְיָצָאwe do notאֵיןconcern ourselvesנִזְקָקִיןwith himלוֹ:—
This halacha discusses the permissibility of a non-Jew bringing his own items into a Jew's home on Shabbos and the allowance of hosting and feeding a non-Jew or a dog.
הל׳ כב
נְתִינַת כִּיסוֹ לְנָכְרִי בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּתHalacha 22 · Giving One's Wallet to a Non-Jew When Shabbos Begins
מִיOneשֶׁהָיָהwhoבָּאwasבַּדֶּרֶךְcomingוְקָדַשׁon the roadעָלָיוand became holyהַיּוֹםupon himוְהָיוּthe dayעִמּוֹand there wereמָעוֹתwith himנוֹתֵןmoneyכִּיסוֹgivesלְנָכְרִיhis walletלְהוֹלִיכוֹto a non-Jewלוֹto carry itוּלְמוֹצָאֵיfor himשַׁבָּתand at the departure ofלוֹקְחוֹShabbosמִמֶּנּוּ.he takes itוְאַףfrom himעַלand evenפִּי·שֶׁלֹּאthoughנָתַןthat notלוֹhe gaveשָׂכָרto himעַלpaymentזֶה.forוְאַףthisעַלand evenפִּי·שֶׁנְּתָנוֹthoughלוֹthat he gave itמִשֶּׁחֲשֵׁכָהto himמֻתָּרafter nightfallמִפְּנֵיit is permittedשֶׁאָדָםbecauseבָּהוּלthat a personעַלis anxiousמָמוֹנוֹoverוְאִיhis moneyאֶפְשָׁרand it is impossibleשֶׁיַּשְׁלִיכֶנּוּ.that he will discard itוְאִםand ifלֹאnotתַּתִּירyou permitלוֹto himדָּבָרmatterזֶהthisשֶׁאֵיןwhich is notאִסּוּרוֹits prohibitionאֶלָּאexceptמִדִּבְרֵיfrom the words ofסוֹפְרִיםthe Sagesיָבוֹאhe will comeלַהֲבִיאוֹto bring itבְּיָדוֹin his handוְעוֹבֵרand transgressעַלonמְלָאכָהmelachaשֶׁלofתּוֹרָה.the TorahבַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבְּכִיסוֹregarding his walletאֲבָלbutמְצִיאָהa lost objectלֹאnotיִתֵּןhe may giveלַנָּכְרִיto the non-Jewאֶלָּאratherמוֹלִיכָהּhe carries itבְּפָחוֹתin lessפָּחוֹתlessמֵאַרְבַּעthan fourאַמּוֹת:cubits
This halacha discusses the Rabbinic leniency allowing a traveler to give his wallet to a non-Jew on Shabbos to prevent him from carrying it himself.
הל׳ כג
דִּין מַעֲשֵׂה שַׁבָּת בְּמֵזִיד וּבִשְׁגָגָהHalacha 23 · The Law of Benefit from Melacha Performed on Shabbos Willfully or Unintentionally
יִשְׂרָאֵלA Jewשֶׁעָשָׂהwho performedמְלָאכָהmelachaבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosאִםifעָבַרhe transgressedוְעָשָׂהand performedבְּזָדוֹןwillfullyאָסוּרit is forbiddenלוֹfor himלֵהָנוֹתto benefitבְּאוֹתָהּfrom thatמְלָאכָהmelachaלְעוֹלָם.foreverוּשְׁאָרand otherיִשְׂרָאֵלJewsמֻתָּרit is permittedלָהֶםfor themלֵהָנוֹתto benefitבָּהּfrom itלְמוֹצָאֵיat the departure ofשַׁבָּתShabbosמִיָּדimmediatelyשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosלא31יד14"וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם"And you shall guardאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּתthe Shabbosכִּיforקֹדֶשׁholyהִיא",it is"הִיאitקֹדֶשׁis holyוְאֵיןbut notמַעֲשֶׂיהָits productsקֹדֶשׁ.holyכֵּיצַד.How soיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewשֶׁבִּשֵּׁלwho cookedבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosבְּמֵזִיד.willfullyלְמוֹצָאֵיat the departure ofשַׁבָּתShabbosיֵאָכֵלit may be eatenלַאֲחֵרִיםby othersאֲבָלbutלוֹfor himלֹאnotיֵאָכֵלit may be eatenעוֹלָמִית.foreverוְאִםand ifבִּשֵּׁלhe cookedבִּשְׁגָגָהunintentionallyלְמוֹצָאֵיat the departure ofשַׁבָּתShabbosיֹאכַלhe may eatבֵּיןwhetherהוּאheבֵּיןorאֲחֵרִיםothersמִיָּד.immediatelyוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּזֶה:to this
This halacha details the restrictions on deriving benefit from a forbidden labor performed by a Jew on Shabbos, distinguishing between willful and unintentional transgressions.
הל׳ כד
פֵּרוֹת שֶׁיָּצְאוּ חוּץ לַתְּחוּם וְחָזְרוּ בְּשַׁבָּתHalacha 24 · Produce That Left the Shabbos Limit and Returned
פֵּרוֹתProduceשֶׁיָּצְאוּthat went outחוּץoutsideלַתְּחוּםthe Shabbos limitוְחָזְרוּ.and returnedבְּשׁוֹגֵגunintentionallyיֵאָכְלוּthey may be eatenבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosשֶׁהֲרֵיsinceלֹאnotנַעֲשָׂהwas doneבְּגוּפָןto their substanceמַעֲשֶׂהan actionוְלֹאand notנִשְׁתַּנּוּ.did they changeבְּמֵזִידintentionallyלֹאthey may notיֵאָכְלוּbe eatenעַדuntilמוֹצָאֵיthe departure ofשַׁבָּת:Shabbos
This halacha discusses the permissibility of eating produce that was transported outside the Shabbos boundary and then brought back.
הל׳ כה
שְׂכַר שַׁבָּת בְּפוֹעֵל וּבְהַבְלָעָהHalacha 25 · Receiving Shabbos Wages and the Prohibition of Hiring Watchmen
הַשּׂוֹכֵרOne who hiresאֶת—הַפּוֹעֵלthe workerלִשְׁמֹרto watchלוֹfor himאֶת—הַפָּרָהthe cowוְאֶתand —הַתִּינוֹקthe babyלֹאshall notיִתֵּןgiveלוֹto himשְׂכָרוֹhis wageשֶׁלofשַׁבָּת.Shabbosלְפִיכָךְthereforeאֵיןthere is noאַחֲרָיוּתresponsibilityשַׁבָּתof Shabbosעָלָיו.upon himוְאִםand ifהָיָהwasהַשָּׂכִירthe employeeשְׂכִירa hired hand ofשַׁבָּתa weekאוֹorשְׂכִירa hired hand ofשָׁנָהa yearנוֹתֵןhe givesלוֹto himשְׂכָרוֹhis wageמָשְׁלָם.in fullלְפִיכָךְthereforeאַחֲרָיוּתresponsibilityשַׁבָּתof Shabbosעָלָיו.is upon himוְלֹאand he shall notיֹאמַרsayלוֹto himתֵּןgiveלִיto meשְׂכָרִיmy wageשֶׁלofשַׁבָּתShabbosאֶלָּאratherאוֹמֵרhe saysלוֹto himתֵּןgiveלִיto meשְׂכָרִיmy wageשֶׁלofשָׁנָהthe yearאוֹorשֶׁלofעֲשָׂרָהtenיָמִים:days
This halacha discusses the prohibition of receiving wages for work done on Shabbos, and how it is permitted through 'havla'ah' (inclusion within a larger weekly or annual payment).
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter establishes that instructing a non-Jew to perform melacha is forbidden mid'Rabbanan to prevent Shabbos from being treated lightly. If a non-Jew performs a forbidden labor specifically for a Jew on his own accord, the Jew cannot benefit from it on Shabbos, and must wait after Shabbos the amount of time it takes to perform that labor before benefiting. However, if the non-Jew acts solely for his own benefit—such as lighting a lamp, building a ramp, or drawing water for his own animal—a Jew is permitted to benefit from that action on Shabbos. In cases like gathering grass where the non-Jew might add more for the Jew's sake, benefit is only allowed if the non-Jew does not know the Jew, whereas for indivisible benefits like a light or a ramp, the Jew may benefit even if the non-Jew knows him.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The holy Shabbos is not just a day of physical rest; it is a day where we elevate our entire reality to a higher plane of kedushah. When the Chachamim forbade us from asking a gentile to do melachah for us, even before Shabbos, and even if we do not need the work until after Shabbos, they were teaching us a profound lesson in yiras Shamayim. Shabbos must never become light or cheap in our eyes. We cannot simply bypass the holiness of the day through loopholes or by outsourcing our desires to others.
This halachah demands of us a deep sense of self-control and patience. When a gentile does work on Shabbos for a Jew, the Torah requires us to wait on Motzaei Shabbos the exact amount of time it took to perform that labor before we can benefit from it. Why? Because Hashem wants us to realize that we gain absolutely nothing by rushing or trying to circumvent His will. The delay on Motzaei Shabbos removes any illusion of shortcut or profit from Shabbos desecration. It trains our hearts to understand that our parnassah and our needs are entirely in the hands of Hashem, and what is meant for us will arrive in its proper time, without our needing to compromise on the sanctity of the day.
Today, let us strengthen our commitment to the honor of Shabbos by pausing before we act or speak regarding any work we want done. If you find yourself tempted to rush a project or secure a convenience through a non-Jew on Shabbos, stop and remind yourself that true blessing only comes from honoring Hashem's rest. Accept the holy boundaries of Shabbos with joy, knowing that waiting for the proper time is itself a beautiful avodah that brings shefa into our lives.