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...
Construction in One’s Home on Tisha B’Ab and Doing Laundry and Wearing Freshly-Laundered Clothing During the Week of Tisha B’Ab
Tisha B’Ab – Is Kaddish Recited Before the Haftarah?
Tisha B’Ab – The Status of Tea and Coffee vis-à-vis the Se’uda Mafseket
Moving Into a New Residence and Buying or Leasing a Car During the Nine Days
The Se’uda Mafseket Before Tisha B’Ab
Tisha BeAv- Do We Wear Tefillin On Tisha BeAv
May the Mohel, Sandak and Father Eat on Tisha B’Ab Which is Delayed Until Sunday?
Listening to Music and Haircutting on Fast Days
May an Ashkenazi Have a Sepharadi Wash His Clothes During the Nine Days?
Tisha B’Ab – If Someone Flies to a Different Time Zone During the Fast
Tisha B’Ab – The Custom to Dim the Lights and Announce the Number of Years Since the Hurban
Tisha B’Ab on Mosa’eh Shabbat – Reciting Habdala if One is Exempt From Fasting
May Women and Children Take Haircuts During the Week of Tisha B’Ab?
If a Person Travels Into a Different Time Zone on Tisha B’Ab
Meat, Milk, Wine, and Chicken Stock During the Nine Days
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found