DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

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

      
(File size: 470 KB)
May One Allow a Plumber to Perform Repairs on Shabbat?

The Mishna Berura (252:17) cites the Hayeh Adam (Rav Abraham Danzig of Vilna, 1748-1820) who rules that one may not allow a technician to remain in his house on Shabbat to complete repairs. Even though the technician is working on the basis of "Kablanut," a fixed fee per task, it is prohibited, because of "Marit Ayin." Outside observers may misconstrue the circumstances of the employment.

There is one exception to this principle. In cases where there is an issue of "Kavod Habriyot" (Human Dignity), e.g. a plumbing emergency, one may allow the technician to complete the repair. The Halachic weight of Kavod Habriyot overrides the concern of "Marit Ayin," which is a Rabbinic enactment.

SUMMARY
One may allow a technician to complete repairs in his home on Shabbat under circumstances compromising "Kavod Habriyot."

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
If a Person Prayed or Recited a Beracha Without a Kippa
If One Thought the Words of a Beracha in His Mind, Without Verbalizing Them
If it Cannot be Determined Whether a Fruit Requires “Ha’etz” or “Ha’adama”
If One Recited the Wrong Beracha Over a Fruit or Vegetable
The Beracha Over a Chocolate Bar With Nuts, and Over Coated Nuts
Which Beracha Does One Recite Over Sugar-Coated Almonds?
The Beracha of “She’ha’kol”
The Beracha Over Papaya, Banana, Pineapple, and Passion Fruit
The Beracha Over Eggplant, Papaya, Banana, Pineapple and Passion Fruit
Answering to a Zimun if One Did Not Eat
Does One Recite Birkat Ha’mazon After Eating Dairy Bread?
Reciting a Beracha When Eating a Spice On Its Own
Which Beracha Does One Recite Over Cereal with Milk?
Women’s Obligation in Birkat Ha’mazon
Reciting a Beracha When Eating a Fruit and a Sugar Candy
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found