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...
Shabbat – Ensuring That the Countertop is Dry Before Putting Down a Hot Pot
Reheating Solid Food With Some Liquid on Shabbat
Is it Permissible to Eat Soup That Was Reheated on Shabbat?
Placing Cold Liquid Near the Stove on Shabbat
Placing a Raw Food Next to a Hot Food on a Plate on Shabbat
Can A Man or Woman Eat or Drink Prior To Kiddush On Shabbat Morning
Asking a Gentile to Write on One’s Behalf on Shabbat
Is It Permissible To Take Vitamins On Shabbat
Tying Knots on Shabbat-Basic Understandings of Restrictions and Permissions
Is It Permissible To Trap Pets in the House on Shabbat?
Is It Permissible To Eat A Meal Just Prior To Shabbat
Is It Permissible to Lace Shoes on Shabbat?
Is It Permissible to Set Up a Mousetrap on Shabbat?
May One Move a Garment on Shabbat if There is Money in the Pocket?
Is It Permissible To Cover A Pot with its Cover or Tin Foil or Other on Shabbat
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found