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Reading on Shabbat: Difference between revisions
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==Permitted reading on Shabbat== | ==Permitted reading on Shabbat== | ||
# It is permitted to look at a synagogue member's list and read from it in order to check whose turn it is to receive the honor of reading the Torah. <ref> Yalkut Yosef 307.5 </ref> | # It is permitted to look at a synagogue member's list and read from it in order to check whose turn it is to receive the honor of reading the Torah. <ref> Yalkut Yosef 307.5 </ref> | ||
# It is permitted to read mitzvah announcements on Shabbat, however, it is forbidden to make business mitzvah | # It is permitted to read mitzvah announcements on Shabbat, however, it is forbidden to make business mitzvah announcements which include the price of an item. <ref> Yalkut Yosef 307.8 </ref>. | ||
# It is permitted to read store sign or brand names on Shabbat. However, those who are strict in this matter shall be blessed. <ref> Yalkut Yosef 307.11 </ref>. | # It is permitted to read store sign or brand names on Shabbat. However, those who are strict in this matter shall be blessed. <ref> Yalkut Yosef 307.11 </ref>. | ||
# It is permitted to read the ingredient list on food products on Shabbat. <ref> Yalkut Yosef 307.12 </ref>. | # It is permitted to read the ingredient list on food products on Shabbat. <ref> Yalkut Yosef 307.12 </ref>. | ||
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==Learning secular subjects on Shabbat== | ==Learning secular subjects 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> | # 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 | * 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 Shtar Hedyot on [[Shabbat]]. What is a Shtar Hedyot which one may not read on [[Shabbat]]? Rashi 116b D”H Shtar explains it to be financial calculations or letters. The Rambam (Pirush Mishnayot [[Shabbat]] 23:2) also explains Shtar 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. | ||
* However, the Rashba (149a D”H VeLeInyan) explains | * However, the Rashba (149a D”H VeLeInyan) explains Shtar Hedyot as a business documents. This is also the definition of the Ri quoted in Tosfot 116b d"h "kol sheken" and the Rosh (see there where he writes that reading shtarei hedyotot is a problem of mimtzo cheftecha from Yishayahu 58:13) Shabbat 23:1 (Rashi himself on 149a seems to say this also, and tosfot 149a d"h "shtarei" questions Rashi. see Netziv in Meromei Sadeh 149 for a reconciliation of Rashi). 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.] | ||
* 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. | * 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. | ||
* 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. | * 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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# One is permitted to read street signs on [[Shabbat]]. <ref>Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]], vol 2, pg 197) </ref> | # One is permitted to read street signs on [[Shabbat]]. <ref>Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]], vol 2, pg 197) </ref> | ||
==Reading captions of pictures== | ==Reading captions of pictures== | ||
#It is forbidden to read the captions of pictures on [[Shabbat]]. <ref> Gemara [[Shabbat]] | #It is forbidden to read the captions of pictures on [[Shabbat]]. <ref> Gemara [[Shabbat]] 149A, Rambam Shabbat 23:19, Maggid Mishneh Shabbat 23:19, Rosh Shabbat 23:1. Rashi there explains that this is as a gezera from the rabbis so that you won't come to read shtarei hedyotot. see Meiri there who says that captions themselves are shtarei hedyotot and Pri Megadim Eshel Avraham 307:51 adds that the Beit Yosef seems to hold that way as well. Ran 63b in the Rif writes that the reason is that you may come to erase. Eliya Rabba 307:37 writes that the practical difference between Ran and Rashi would be if the writing is engraved where the concern that you may come to erase wouldn't exist.</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> | ||
==Advertisements or business== | ==Advertisements or business== | ||
#It is forbidden to read a catalogue of advertisements or anything that has any bearing on finances on shabbat. <ref> Mishna Berura 307:63, Yalkut Yosef 307.22, 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> | #It is forbidden to read a catalogue of advertisements or anything that has any bearing on finances on shabbat. <ref> Mishna Berura 307:63, Yalkut Yosef 307.22, 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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# It’s permissible to open an envelope or a booklet that was stapled shut just for transmission by post by removing the staples. However, it’s forbidden to remove the staples from two papers that were stapled together permanently. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:5 </ref> Similarly, it’s forbidden to staple an envelope closed. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:5 </ref> | # It’s permissible to open an envelope or a booklet that was stapled shut just for transmission by post by removing the staples. However, it’s forbidden to remove the staples from two papers that were stapled together permanently. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:5 </ref> Similarly, it’s forbidden to staple an envelope closed. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 28:5 </ref> | ||
==Reading Mail== | ==Reading Mail== | ||
# In general it’s forbidden to read letters on [[Shabbat]] even of a social or business correspondence. However, if a letter of social correspondence arrived on [[Shabbat]] it’s permissible to read it silently (without moving one’s lips) because it’s possible that it contains crucial information for [[Shabbat]]. However, business letters may not be read on [[Shabbat]] at all. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 29:45 </ref> | # In general it’s forbidden to read letters on [[Shabbat]] even of a social or business correspondence. However, if a letter of social correspondence arrived on [[Shabbat]] it’s permissible to read it silently (without moving one’s lips) because it’s possible that it contains crucial information for [[Shabbat]]. However, business letters may not be read on [[Shabbat]] at all. <Ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 29:45. Sh"t Iggerot Moshe 5:21:5 writes that since we no longer get any urgent news in the mail this doesn't really apply anymore. see also tiltulei shabbat teshuva 29, the Shabbos Home of Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen 5:footnote 14, Beer Moshe 6:66, Rav Avigdor Neventzal in Yerushalayim Bimoadeha Shabbat Kodesh 2 page 260 who agree to be stringent </ref> | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
