Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 275

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 275 — English translation

Translation: Sefaria Community Translation. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 1The Tasks Forbidden to Be Performed on Shabbos by the Glow of the [Shabbos] Lights, 12 Seifim: 1. One does not search [a garment] (The meaning [of "Pulin" is] to remove lice from clothing. The [Aramaic] translation of "biarti"is "paliti"[, coming from the same root as "Pulin"].) and one does not read in a book by the light of a candle, and even if he is not reading aloud, lest one tilts [the flame to make it more steady]. And [this applies] even he is ten stories high, where he cannot reach it [the candle], as the rabbis did not differentiate [between varying situations] in this matter. And for this reason, there is [room to extend this prohibition] even if the flame is enclosed in crystal, or set in an opening in a wall. And this applies to a wax candle as well.
2. 22. Specifically, this prohibition was only issued with regard to an individual [reading] alone. Two people, by contrast, may read together because if one will attempt to tilt the lamp, the other person will remind him. [This leniency applies] only when they are reading the same subject matter; then, one pays attention to what the other is doing. But if they are reading two diffferent subject matters, no. RAMA: There are those who say that when they are reading from two different books, even if it the same subject, it is forbidden. [Beis Yosef]. And therefore it is forbidden to say piyutim in the synagogue at night on Yom Tov that falls on Shabbat, and this is our custom. [Mordechai; סה"ת; Sma"g; ]
3. 33. If there is someone else with him, even if that person is not reading, and he says to him 'give me your attention so that I will not tilt (the candle) it is permitted. This is also the law if one says this to his wife.
4. 44. Regarding an important man, who does not have the habit of tilting the candle on weekdays, it is permitted for him in all instances (to read by candlelight on Shabbat).
5. 55. Even ten people may not read together by the light of a [large] fire, because they may sit far from each other and since the smoking stubs of the firebrands are close to them, one can easily and quickly use them to stoke the fire before another person will notice what he [is doing].
6. 66. Schoolchildren may read by the light of a lamp even because of their [constant] dread of their teacher.
7. 77. One may read 'BaMeh Madlikin' by candlelight, because this is a reminder of what is forbidden on Shabbat and one will not forget.
8. 88. It is customary to read from the machzor on the night of Yom Kippur because the dread of Yom Kippur is upon them.
9. 99. One may read the Haggadah from a book when the night of Passover falls on Shabbat because even an unlearned person is [at least somewhat] familiar with a portion of it, and thus only needs to look into the book from time to time, so he will not come to say it by heart.
10. 1010. A teacher may use the light of a lamp to determine the place where the children [studying with him] should read aloud and he may also use the light of a lamp to look in a book so as to prepare the beginnings of the passages that he will recite, reciting the remainder by heart to assist the children. [The above leniency applies] not only to [reading] the beginning of the passages. [Instead,] whenever one knows part of a passage by heart, but must look in a book for another part, even in the midst of the [same] passage, it is permitted [for him to do so]. Since he is not looking in the book at all times, there is a distinguishing factor, and he will not forget and tilt [the lamp].
11. 1111. It is forbidden to use the light of a lamp to check articles that are [very] similar and meticulous scrutiny is required to differentiate between them. It is even forbidden to differentiate between one’s own clothes and those of his wife if they resemble each other.
12. 1212. A butler who is not employed on a regular basis is forbidden to check glasses and plates that are similar by the light of a lamp in order to differentiate between them, because he does not recognize which light is greater between a lamp of olive oil and a lamp of crude oil or kerosene [meaning a type of white tar or pitch with a bad smell]. RAMA: There are those that permit this regarding crude oil and a butler not employed on a regular basis [Tur; Beis Yosef in the name of the Poskim]. By contrast, a butler employed on a regular basis does not have to look carefully to differentiate between them because he recognizes them. If it was a lamp of olive oil he is not prevented from doing so. Even though he is permitted to do so, the Sages enacted a gezeirah because he might take (from the fuel). RAMA: It is our custom to cover the children so that they will not be naked in front of the [Shabbos] lights, because this is denigrating to the mitzvah, and so writes the Rokeach.

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