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...
Is There a Requirement Nowadays to Give Portions of a Slaughtered Animal to a Kohen?
Showing Respect to a Kohen
Lighting a Candle in Memory of the Deceased
Reciting She’hehiyanu Upon Seeing a Friend or Loved One for the First Time in 30 Days
Can a Minor be Counted as the Tenth Person for a Minyan?
Saying the Name of a City That is Named After a Pagan Deity
Does One Recite a Beracha When Seeing the President of the United States?
The Disqualification of a Kohen Who Accidentally Kills
Reciting Tikkun Hasot in the Afternoon During the Three Weeks, and Every Night
Sources of the Concept of Gematria
Does a Minor Recite Birkat Ha’gomel?
Praying at the Graves of the Righteous
The Prohibition Against Taking A Short Cut Through a Synagogue
Eating a Special Meal on Rosh Hodesh
Reciting “Va’ani Tefilati” and “Mizmor Shir” When Praying Minha Privately on Shabbat Afternoon
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found