Working on Friday Afternoon

Working Friday Afternoon

One should not work on Friday afternoon past the time for Mincha. It is debated whether this means 6.5 halachic hours after sunrise (Mincha Gedola) or 9.5 halachic hours after sunrise (Mincha Ketana). The reason is debated as well; one opinion holds that it's because we want to prevent one from transgressing the laws of Shabbos if he runs too late, and the other opinion says the reason is to leave time to prepare for Shabbos. While there are various leniencies (mentioned below), a G-d fearing person should do his best to abide by this law. One who unrightfully does not abide by this law will not gain from the work that he does after the time for Mincha.

Leaving with Time to Prepare for Shabbat

Others are Preparing for Shabbos

1. Some say that if others are taking care of the Shabbos preparations, one is allowed to work past the time for Mincha. There are those who say that this leniency does not apply past Mincha Ketana (even if other leniencies do).

Lenient Opinions

Salaried Workers

1. Some hold that the law of not being able to work past the time for Mincha on Friday afternoon only applies to bosses, but employees (salaried workers who do not have flexibility with their hours) can continue working past the time for Mincha.

Occasional Unscheduled Work

1. While one may not partake in scheduled meetings, conference calls, or the like after the time for Mincha on Friday afternoon, one may make an unscheduled business phone call, send an unscheduled business email, and the like.

Financial Loss

1. The laws of Friday afternoon are not more stringent than the laws of Chol HaMoed. Therefore, if missing work on Friday afternoon would cause one to undergo a great financial loss, it's permitted to work then, just as it would be on Chol HaMoed.

Finishing a Job Under Compelling Circumstances

1. Some hold that the law of not being able to work past the time for Mincha on Friday afternoon only applies to working on new assignments, but finishing up existing assignments is permitted.

Needed for Shabbos

1. Work done for Shabbos needs, such as fixing a button or pot, is even permitted past the time for Mincha on Friday afternoon. This is true even if the work is done for somebody else's Shabbos needs, but only if one is not being paid for the work done (which would be proper indication that the work is really being done for Shabbos needs).

Retail Selling and Keeping Stores Open

1. Some say that since retail selling and keeping stores open are not very strenuous, they are not really considered work and are therefore permitted after the time for Mincha on Friday afternoon. A Jew, however, does not have permission to buy past the time for Mincha on Friday afternoon (unless it's for something required for Shabbos).

Making Extra Money for Shabbos

1. A poor person who needs to make money after Mincha on Friday afternoon in order to glorify Shabbos is permitted to work to do so.