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...
Opening a Store on Shabbat
Work by a Non-Jew on Property Owned by a Jew on Shabbat
Preparations for Shabbat
The Halachot of Taking Challa
The Misva of Taking Hallah
Review of Use of Bar Soap on Shabbat
The Reward for Properly Preparing for Shabbat
Using Soap On Shabbat- The Issue of MiMacheik
The Importance of Oneg Shabbat
Wearing a Key as an Ornament in a Public Domain on Shabbat
One Who Comes Late to the Synagogue on Friday Night
Pouring Hot Water From a Kettle Into a Pot of Hamin (Cholent) on Shabbat
The Proper Time to Begin Se’uda Shelishit; Reciting Birkat Hamazon After Se’uda Shelishit Over a Cup of Wine
May Crock Pots be Used for Shabbat?
Must One Completely Dry a Teacup Before Pouring Hot Water Into it From an Urn?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found