Chapter 3 · Toladot & Rabbinic laws

Amirah le-nochri - instructing a non-Jew

Lesson 23 of 55 20 min

Work done by a non-Jew is not your work - yet Chazal forbade requesting it. Build the rule, its reasons and the well-known exceptions.

Lesson goals

01Define instructing a non-Jew as shevut
02Know the reasons (Rashi and Rambam)
03Know the "shevut de-shevut for a mitzvah" allowance

The rule and its reason

The Gemara (Shabbat ק״נ ע״א (150a)) states: "instructing a non-Jew is shevut". Rashi grounds it in "from pursuing your affairs and speaking words" - even speech about work harms Shabbat. Rambam (Shabbat 6:1) adds: so that Shabbat not become light in one's eyes and he come to do it himself.

ישעיהו נח, יג

אִם תָּשִׁיב מִשַּׁבָּת רַגְלֶךָ עֲשׂוֹת חֲפָצֶיךָ בְּיוֹם קָדְשִׁי

From this verse and its continuation Chazal learn about speech and business on Shabbat.

Exceptions

1A non-dangerously ill person - one may ask a non-Jew even for Torah-level work
2Shevut de-shevut (a rabbinic act by a non-Jew) - permitted for a mitzvah or great need
3Work the non-Jew does for himself - no obligation to protest

Insight

A study framework only - for a practical question, ask a rabbi.

Practice

Sort 3 cases: turning on a light for a sick person, AC in severe heat, buying groceries. Which category is each?

Lesson wrap-up

Your Shabbat is kept in your speech too.

Check your understanding

Test yourself before marking the lesson complete.

Question 1 of 3

What is the status of instructing a non-Jew?

Previous lessonShvut - rabbinic prohibitions

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