DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 406 KB)
Talking or Thinking About One's Business on Shabbat

The Gemara in Masechet Shabbat (150) establishes the prohibition against speaking about one's business operations on Shabbat. This prohibition is derived from a verse in the Book of Yeshayahu (58:13), where the prophet speaks about refraining on Shabbat "Mi'metzo Cheftzecha Ve'daber Davar" ("from pursuing your needs and speaking of matters"), which is interpreted as referring to speaking of one's professional and commercial pursuits.

Accordingly, the Shulchan Aruch rules (306:8) that one may not speak of business-related matters on Shabbat. Thinking about such matters in one's mind, he adds, is, strictly speaking, permissible, though due to the obligation of Oneg Shabbat (enjoying oneself on Shabbat) it is a Mitzva to avoid even thinking about one's business on Shabbat. The Shulchan Aruch writes that on Shabbat one should feel as though all his work has been completed and he has no lingering or outstanding responsibilities that should concern him. The Torah instructs, "Six days shall you labor and perform all your work" (Shemot 20:9). As the Midrash notes, a person can never be said to have performed "all his work"; one always has more work that he can do. The Midrash explains that the Torah here demands that on Shabbat one look upon his work as having been completed, and he should therefore not even think about any of his professional responsibilities. Particularly, if thinking of one's business causes stress and anxiety, he must avoid thinking of such matters on Shabbat.

Summary: Halacha forbids speaking of business-related matters on Shabbat. Thinking about such matters is technically allowed, though it is a Mitzva to feel on Shabbat as though all his work is completed, especially if thinking of his business will cause him anxiety.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
The Priceless Value of Serving as Sandak
The Connection Between Berit Mila and Speech
The Importance of the Berit Mila Meal and the Meal on the Friday Night Before the Berit
Which Kind of Kohen Should One Select for a Pidyon Ha’ben?
Pidyon Ha’ben – When is a Pidyon Required For a Firstborn Son?
Pidyon Ha’ben – May the Money be Given to a Kohenet?
The Pidyon Ha’ben Meal
If the Day of the Pidyon Ha’ben Falls on Shabbat, a Holiday, or a Fast Day
When Should a Pidyon Ha’ben be Performed for a Child Who Cannot Yet be Circumcised?
Using an Object of Value for Pidyon Ha’ben
Pidyon Ha’ben – If the Kohen Foregoes on the Money
May the Kohen Return the Money Received for a Pidyon Ha’ben?
Keeping One’s Word After Designating a Kohen for Pidyon Ha’ben
Pidyon Ha’ben – Appointing an Agent; Performing the Pidyon Far Away From the Baby
Naming a Baby at a Berit; the Permissibility of Naming an Ill Newborn Before the Berit
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found