DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

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

      
(File size: 550 KB)
May One Leave a PayPal Account Active on Shabbat?

The Halacha prohibits conducting business transactions, "Mekach U’Memkar," on Shabbat. In the era of e-commerce, many new questions arise. For example, the Poskim discuss whether it is permissible to leave a PayPal account active on Shabbat. The issue is whether any money deposited on Shabbat or Yom Tob constitutes a prohibited transaction.

The consensus is to be lenient, provided the Jew did not instruct that the money be deposited specifically on Shabbat. The precedent for this ruling is found in Shulhan Aruch (Siman 246), where Maran permits giving money to a non-Jew to make a purchase, without specifically indicating to do so on Shabbat. The fact that the non-Jew actually bought the items for the Jew on Shabbat is inconsequential. Maran also rules (Siman 243) that the only reason it is prohibited to hire a non-Jew to manage a bathhouse is "Marit Ayin," people may misconstrue the arrangement. He does not cite the problem of the non-Jew receiving the money on the Jew’s behalf. From these precedents, it is derived that one may leave his PayPal account active on Shabbat, and any money deposited on Shabbat is permitted for use immediately after Shabbat.

SUMMARY
It is permitted to leave a Pay Pal account active on Shabbat.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
May a Seller Charge a Higher Price if Payment is Delayed?
May a Lender Charge a Penalty for a Delayed Payment of the Debt?
Seizing a Debtor's Property in Lieu of Payment
Defining "Ri’bitt " (Interest)
"Ri’bit": The Prohibition Against Receiving or Paying Interest
Is It Permissible To Poach (Take Away) A Customer
The Halachic Propriety of Opening a Competing Business
Exceptions to the Rule Allowing a Neighbor the Right of First Refusal
Can a Neighbor Exercise His Right of First of Refusal if He Did Not Do So Immediately; a Business Partner's Right of First Refusal
Offering First Right of Refusal to a Partner or Neighbor
Damaging Somebody’s Property for the Purpose of Saving a Life
Is There a Liability When a Child Damages Somebody’s Property?
If One Damages Somebody’s Property In His Sleep, Under Intoxication, While Celebrating, or During a Sports Game
Liability for Damages Caused While Walking or Running in a Public Domain
The Extent of Liability for Property Damages
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found