DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

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

      
(File size: 908 KB)
Is Proofreading on Shabbat Permissible

The Radbaz (R. David iBn Zimra, 1479-1589!, Tsfat), cited in Sha'are Teshuva 307:1, discusses whether it is permissible to read a book on Shabbat with the explicit purpose of reviewing its content for editing after Shabbat. At one point, he suggests prohibiting it out of concern that the editor might actually do the revision on Shabbat. He then rejects this approach, since the editor will most likely remember that it is Shabbat by the time he organizes the various accessories needed to write.

Yet, his conclusion is to prohibit it for a different reason: It is considered preparing for mundane needs on Shabbat. He compares it to the prohibition of walking to the city limit on Shabbat, to leave for work immediately after Shabbat. However, it is permissible to read a book for its own sake, and make a mental note of any mistakes discovered for revision after Shabbat.

From this ruling of the Radbaz, Hacham Ovadia (Halichot Olam, Parashat Vayishlach) derives a practical Halacha. There he discusses whether a Rabbi may study sources on Shabbat to collect references needed to write a responsa on Mosa'eh Shabbat. He learns from the Radbaz that there is no concern that the rabbi may inadvertently come to write on Shabbat. He reasons that if in the case of editing, in which the only purpose of reading the book was to make revisions later, there is no concern, then certainly in the case of learning, which is a Misva on Shabbat, and it is not evident that he intends to write responsa after Shabbat, it would be permitted.

SUMMARY
It is prohibited to proofread a book with the intent to make edits on Mosa'eh Shabbat. However, it is permitted to read a book for its own sake and make a mental note of any mistakes discovered for correction after Shabbat.
It is permitted to learn Torah sources on Shabbat to collect sources to write a responsa.


 


Recent Daily Halachot...
How Many Berachot Are Recited on Tefilin?
Must One Make Another Beracha When Changing Tefilin?
Taking Off Tefilin in Front of the Torah or a Rabbi
If One Is Not Careful To Wear Tefillin
Yishtabah
What if a Sofer Wrote an Extra Letter?
Is it Permissible to use a Light-Box with Background Print when Writing a Sefer Torah
Scoring Lines on a Klaf When Writing a Sefer Torah and Tefillin
Klaf Mashuah
The Klaf Used for Sefer Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzot
Faded Ink on a Sefer Torah, Tefillin, and Mezuzot
The Proper Order When Writing the Parashot of the Tefillin and Mezuzot
Is One Required To Make A Beracha on the Mezuza When Returning To Home After An Extended Absence, And Are Mezuzot Required In A Boat, Plane, or Elevator
The Procedure for Removing One's Tefillin
Where on the Doorpost Should a Mezuza be Placed?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found