Permitted and forbidden things to read
From Halachipedia
- Some are lenient in reading secular subjects on shabbat, but it is proper to be stringent. [1]
- One shouldn’t read a bus schedule on Shabbat. [2]
- One is permitted to read street signs on Shabbat. [3]
- It is forbidden to read the captions of pictures on Shabbat. [4] However, if is a caption underneath the picture of a rabbi then you may have room to be lenient. [5]
- It is forbidden to read a catalogue of advertisements or anything that has any bearing on finances on shabbat. [6]
- It is preferable not to read sad things that may bring the reader to tears such as holocaust stories. [7]
References
- ↑ Mishna Berura 380:65. Shulchan Aruch 307:17 says that it's forbidden to read anything other than torah, but there are some who are lenient. see http://www.ravaviner.com/2010/01/studying-secular-subjects-on-shabbat.html
- ↑ Yalkut Yosef (Shabbat, vol 2, pg 197)
- ↑ Yalkut Yosef (Shabbat, vol 2, pg 197)
- ↑ Gemara Shabbat 149
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Mishna Berura 307:63, Rav Yisrael Belsky in Shulchan Halevi page 90, as well as Menuchat Ahava 1 page 233 who says this prohibition even applies if your a shopping for a mitzva related item such as the arba minim.
- ↑ Mishnah Berurah 307:3; Ketzot Hashulchan 107:43.