Permitted and forbidden things to read

From Halachipedia

Learning secular subjects on Shabbat

  1. Some are lenient in reading secular subjects on shabbat, but it is proper to be stringent. [1]

Bus schedule

  1. One shouldn’t read a bus schedule on Shabbat. [2]
  2. One is permitted to read street signs on Shabbat. [3]

Reading captions of pictures

  1. 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]

Advertisements or business

  1. It is forbidden to read a catalogue of advertisements or anything that has any bearing on finances on shabbat. [6]

Sad stories

  1. It is preferable not to read sad things that may bring the reader to tears such as holocaust stories. [7]

References

  1. ↑ 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
  2. ↑ Yalkut Yosef (Shabbat, vol 2, pg 197)
  3. ↑ Yalkut Yosef (Shabbat, vol 2, pg 197)
  4. ↑ Gemara Shabbat 149
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ Mishnah Berurah 307:3; Ketzot Hashulchan 107:43.
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