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...
How Many Berachot Are Recited on Tefilin?
Must One Make Another Beracha When Changing Tefilin?
Taking Off Tefilin in Front of the Torah or a Rabbi
If One Is Not Careful To Wear Tefillin
Yishtabah
What if a Sofer Wrote an Extra Letter?
Is it Permissible to use a Light-Box with Background Print when Writing a Sefer Torah
Scoring Lines on a Klaf When Writing a Sefer Torah and Tefillin
Klaf Mashuah
The Klaf Used for Sefer Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzot
Faded Ink on a Sefer Torah, Tefillin, and Mezuzot
The Proper Order When Writing the Parashot of the Tefillin and Mezuzot
Is One Required To Make A Beracha on the Mezuza When Returning To Home After An Extended Absence, And Are Mezuzot Required In A Boat, Plane, or Elevator
The Procedure for Removing One's Tefillin
Where on the Doorpost Should a Mezuza be Placed?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found