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...
The Recitation of Sidkatecha at Minha on Shabbat
Does the Concept of “Hasi Shiur” Apply to the Shabbat Prohibitions?
The Prohibition Against Writing on Shabbat
The Mukse Status of Nut Shells and Olive Pits
The Proper Way to Discard Nutshells and Eggshells on Shabbat
Savings Accounts That Pay Interest on a Per-Day Basis
Smelling and Distributing Snuff in the Synagogue
Reciting the Beracha of “Boreh Me’oreh Ha’esh” During Habdala
Observing Shabbat in a Situation Where One Has Lost Track of the Days
The Ancient Practice of Blowing the Shofar at the Onset of Shabbat, and its Contemporary Significance
Borer – Separating Two Edible Foods on Shabbat
Giving Charity in Lieu of a Sin-Offering For Inadvertently Violating Shabbat
Wearing Glasses, Sunglasses and Galoshes Outdoors on Shabbat
Violating Shabbat to Administer Medical Care to a Critically Ill Patient
Receiving the Extra Soul Through the Recitation of Barechu on Friday Night
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found