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...
Is It Appropriate To Invite A Rabbi To Put Up A Mezuza In A New House
Shoud The Beracha On Tefilin Be Repeated When Putting It On Again The Same Day
Is One Required to Make a New Beracha On a Mezuza That Fell Off?
Does One Recite “Shehehiyanu” the First Time He Wears Tefillin?
Positioning the Tefillin Shel Rosh
Positioning the Tefillin Shel Yad
Reciting “Kadesh Li” and “Ve’haya Ki Yebi’acha” After Donning the Tefillin
Removing, Holding, and Respecting Tefillin
Must One Don Tefilin before Reciting Shema in the Korbanot?
Touching the Tefillin While Wearing Them; the Procedure for Repositioning, Removing and Handling Tefillin
Writing Tefillin With One’s Right Hand
Where Should a Mezuzah be Placed on a High Doorpost?
Wearing Tefillin After Sunset
Is it Permissible for a Woman to Wear Tefillin?
May a Sepharadi Wear Ashkenazi Tefillin?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found