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...
Determining the Yartzeit of Somebody Who Passed Away During Adar Rishon
How to Determine the First Yartzeit During a Leap Year
When Should A Mourner Begin To Sit Shiva If Remaining Out Of Town Away From The Place of The Funeral and Burial
Is It Permissible To Place Memorial Tomb Stones At The Graves of Tzadikim
Visiting A Grave Twice In One Day, and Reciting A Pasuk At A Grave
Yichud- (Series Conclusion) Can A Stranger Be Alone With A Mother And Daughter
Yichud- Is It Permissible For A Man and Lady To Be Alone In The Back of A Limousine or Ambulance
Yichud- How The Laws of Yichud Apply In An Office
Yichud- Can A Young Boy's Presence Protect Against Yichud
Yichud- Can A Young Girl Also Protect Against Yichud As A Wife Does Through The Leniency of ‘Ishto Imo’
Yichud- Some Questions and Exceptions On ‘Ishto Mishamarto’- (The Leniency When A Wife is With Her Husband)
Yichud- Is It Permissible For A Lady To Be Alone With A Male Doctor
Yichud- Is It Permissible for A Man and A Woman To Be Secluded In A Car
Yichud- Is It Permissible To Ride In An Elevator Alone A With A Lady
Yichud- Can An Unmarried Female Baby Sitter Be Alone Watching Young Boys
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found