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...
The Liability of a “Shomer Hinam” – an Unpaid Guardian
Is it Permissible to Photocopy Pages From a Published Sefer?
Separating Halla from the Dough – When Does the Obligation Apply?
Omitting Lamenase’ah and Tefila Le’David on Days When Tahanunim Omitted
Reciting Yag Midot and Nefilat Apayim After Sunset
Fasting on Friday
Is it Proper to Sleep During the Day?
Wigs and Alternate Head Coverings for Ladies
Pressuring One’s Fellow to Sell His Possessions
Asking Forgiveness From Those Whom We Have Wronged
Rosh Hashanah – Proper Foods, and Avoiding Anger
Reciting Sheheheyanu When Purchasing a New Garment
The Communal Obligation of Bikur Holim
Hiring a Jew Who Has Not Recited Habdala Since the Previous Shabbat
Invitations Printed in “Ketab Ashurit” – The Writing Style of a Sefer Torah
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found