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| ==Learning secular subjects on Shabbat==
| | #REDIRECT [[Reading on Shabbat]] |
| # According to Sephardim, one should only learn Torah on [[Shabbat]] and one may not learn secular subjects. According to Ashkenazim, many are lenient to allow learning secular wisdom on [[Shabbat]] but a pious person should refrain. <Ref> | |
| * Mishna [[Shabbat]] 148b writes that one may not count the number of guests from a list on [[Shabbat]]. Abaye in the Gemara 149a explains that this is a rabbinic restriction so as not to come to read a Shatar Hedyot on [[Shabbat]]. What is a Shatar Hedyot which one may not read on [[Shabbat]]? Rashi 116b D”H Shatar explains it to be financial calculations or letters. The Rambam (Pirush Mishnayot [[Shabbat]] 23:2) also explains Shatar Hedyot to mean letters and the reason for this is that on [[Shabbat]] one may only read Navi and it’s explanations and not even a book of wisdom and science. Bet Yosef 307:17 quotes the Baal HaMoer (43a D”H VeHa) who agrees.
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| * However, the Rashba (149a D”H VeLeInyan) explains Shatar Hedyot as a business documents. Therefore, Sh”t Rashba 7:288 rules that it’s permitted to read books of wisdom and medicine and quotes the Ramban who agreed. [Bet Yosef 307:17 learns this out from another Teshuva of the Rashba 1:772 where he says that one may analyze an astrological tool called the Istrolav.]
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| * S”A 307:17 rules like the Rambam who says that on [[Shabbat]] one should only learn Torah and not books of other wisdoms, however, he mentions that some are lenient. Mishna Brurah 307:65 writes that the minhag is like the Rashba, however, a pious person (Yireh Shamayim) should be strict. [http://www.ravaviner.com/2010/01/studying-secular-subjects-on-shabbat.html Rav Aviner] holds like the Mishna Brurah. 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 4, pg 982) uses a stricter language saying strictly speaking pleasure reading is permitted but it’s best to refrain from any secular books.
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| * Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 29:49 extends the Mishna Brurah even to permit reading professional literature, journals that does not include any business, and textbooks. He notes that Rav Shlomo Zalman (Nishmat Avraham 307:5) is quoted to say that a doctor could learn medicine on [[Shabbat]] but a medical student may not.
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| * However, Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]] vol 2, pg 214, 626) rules like Shulchan Aruch that one should only learn Torah on [[Shabbat]] and is only lenient to allow a medical student who has a test after [[Shabbat]] and is pressured for time to study medicine (except for the study of surgery) on [[Shabbat]]. [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=8/5/2009 Rabbi Mansour] on DailyHalacha.com agrees. Menuchat Ahava (vol 1, pg 234) writes that the halacha follows Shulchan Aruch but one doesn’t have to protest those who are lenient because they have what to rely on.
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| * It's interesting to note that the Rama (Sh"t Rama 7) writes that he only studied philosophy from Moreh Nevuchim on [[Shabbat]] and [[Yom Tov]] when others were taking walks. </ref>
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| # One shouldn't study history on Shabbat, however, one may read Jewish History books which inspire Yirat Shamayim and have Mussar in them, such as Shevet Yehuda, Sefer Yuchsin, Divrei HaYamim of Ri HaKohen, or Yosefon (which is not the same as Josephus). <ref>Kitzur S"A 90:11, Mishna Brurah 307</ref>
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| # Concerning studying for a secular test on [[Shabbat]] see [[Hachana#Study Torah and other subjects|Hachana]].
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| ==Bus schedule==
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| # One shouldn’t read a bus schedule on [[Shabbat]]. <ref>Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]], vol 2, pg 197) </ref>
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| # One is permitted to read street signs on [[Shabbat]]. <ref>Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]], vol 2, pg 197) </ref>
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| ==Reading captions of pictures==
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| #It is forbidden to read the captions of pictures on [[Shabbat]]. <ref> Gemara [[Shabbat]] 149 </ref> However, if is a caption underneath the picture of a rabbi then you may have room to be lenient. <ref> Rav Moshe Halevi in Menuchat Ahava 1 page 236 cites some rabbis who allow it since it enhances your fear of G-d but nevertheless says one should be strict even in this. </ref>
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| ==Advertisements or business==
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| #It is forbidden to read a catalogue of advertisements or anything that has any bearing on finances on shabbat. <ref> Mishna Berura 307:63, Rav Yisrael Belsky in Shulchan Halevi page 90, as well as Menuchat Ahava (vol 1, pg 233) who says this prohibition even applies if your a shopping for a mitzva related item such as the arba minim. </ref>
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| ==Sad stories==
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| #It is preferable not to read sad things that may bring the reader to tears such as holocaust stories. <ref> Mishnah Berurah 307:3; Ketzot Hashulchan 107:43. </ref>
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| ==References==
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| <references/>
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