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...
Should One Stand During the Hazzan’s Repetition of the Amida?
Sukkot – Reciting “Le’sheb Ba’Sukka” Over “Mezonot” Food
Sukkot- Is the Beracha Over the Sukka Ever Recited Without Eating a Meal?
The Misva of Arabot on Hoshana Rabba
May a Mourner Participate in the Hakafot on Simhat Torah?
Succot: Kiddush on the First Night
Succot- a Dry Etrog
Sukkot – Should One First Pick Up the Lulab, or the Etrog?
May One Ask a Non-Jew to Replace Sechach or Rebuild a Sukka on Shabbat or Yom Tob?
Succot- May One Use a Grafted Etrog?
What if the Pitom Breaks?
Shaving and Haircutting Before Yom Tob; Restrictions That Apply on Hol Ha’mo’ed
Basic Laws of Taking the Arba Minim
Succot – The Significance of the Ushpizin
Succot- Choosing from the Many Brands of Etrogim
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found