The Sabbath
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Melave Malka
What is a Malave Malka, and what happens at one? "Melave" means to "escort" and "Malka" means "queen." The Shabbat is often compared to a queen in traditional Jewish sources, because it is a day that we honor as if…
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Shabbos Candles
Why do we light candles on Shabbos? Shabbos lights aren't mentioned in the Bible, but they are a natural part of the enjoyment of Shabbos (Isaiah 58:13). No doubt there were sectarians who prohibited Shabbos lights based on their interpretation…
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Changing Sabbath to Sunday
When and why did the Christians change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday? Changing the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday (the day on which Jesus was said to have been resurrected) was debated for a long time — as far…
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Shabbos Candles
My relatives are having a Bar Mitzvah in a nearbyhotel and will be eating their meals there. Theywill be sleeping in their house.Where should theylight Shabbos candles? Is it preferable in theplace where they sleep or the place will they…
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Recording a VCR for Shabbos
If a TV program is being broadcast on Shabbat that one wants to watch, is it permissible, before Shabbos, to set one’s VCR to record the show for viewing after Shabbos? Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (Igros Mosheh, Orach Chaim, Vol. 4…
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Feeding Animals on Shabbos
Why is it forbidden on Shabbat to feed animals (or birds, or fish) that don’t depend on you for their food? This is forbidden because it is regarded as “unnecessary exertion” (Tircha Yeseira). We forbid such things in order to…
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Folding a Cloth Along Creases on Shabbos
Why is it forbidden to fold cloth along creases on Shabbat? One of the 39 forbidden Melachos on Shabbos is laundering (Mechabes). The Rabbis prohibited any step in the laundering process – for example, even pouring water on clothing without…
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Using a Toothbrush on Shabbos
Is it allowed to use a toothbrush on Shabbos? Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe, Orach Chaim, Vol. 1, No. 112) states that it is permitted to use a toothbrush on Shabbos, but not toothpaste. Thus it is allowed to put…
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Straining a Liquid on Shabbos
Is straining a liquid to remove dissolved impurities permitted on Shabbos? Straining a liquid would be problematic (the melacha is called meshamer) if the straining removed perceptible impurities from the liquid. Thus there would be a problem if the impurities…