DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

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

      
(File size: 932 KB)
Instructing a Non-Jew During Twilight

The Halacha prohibits instructing a non-Jew on Shabbat to perform a Melacha forbidden from the Torah, even for the purpose of a Misva. Therefore, one may not tell a non-Jew to turn on the lights to learn Torah on Shabbat. However, the exception to this rule is telling the non-Jew during Ben HaShmashot (twilight-defined as the 13.5 minutes after sunset).

For example, if the Shabbat hot plate was not plugged in, a non-Jew may be utilized during that period of time, even though the woman has already lit candles and accepted Shabbat. During Ben HaShmashot, any Melacha, even If prohibited by Torah law, may be performed by the non-Jew for the sake of a Misva.

This principle applies to the twilight at the end of Shabbat, as well. For example, if sunset is at 6 PM and Shabbat concludes 42 minutes later, at 6:42 PM, and the lights went out in the synagogue during that period, a non-Jew may be called to turn them on, since it is for the sake of a Misva.

SUMMARY
During Ben HaShmashot of Ereb Shabbat or Mosa'eh Shabbat, any Melacha, even If prohibited by Torah law, may be performed by a non-Jew for the sake of a Misva.


 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Passover – Se’udat Ester on the Second Day; Shopping, Cooking and Playing Music on Hol Ha’mo’ed
Passover – The Second Cup of Wine at the Seder
Pesah – Must Women Recite the Full Hallel Before the Seder?
Passover – Halachot of Kadesh and the Four Cups
Passover – Brooms, Can Openers, Cookbooks
Cosmetics and Perfumes on Pesah
Pesah – The Status of Food Prepared in a Hametz Pot
Pesah – If a Small Piece of Hametz Fell Into Non-Hametz Food Before Pesah
Erev Pesah – If One Mistakenly Ate Masa; Eating Masa Meal Products; Eating Marror and Eggs
Pesah – Shehehiyanu, Ya’ale Ve’yabo, Afikoman
Pesah – “Crash Course” on the Seder
Pesah – The Custom to Eat an Egg at the Seder
Pesah – Bedikat Hametz
Ereb Pesah – The Siyum for the Firstborn
Pesah – The Beracha Recited Before Bedikat Hames
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found