From the Ravs Desk: Latest articles and Q&A [Thursday 22nd Shevat 5785]

May one look up an address in a phone book on Shabbos?^[1]

Yes, if done for the sake of Shabbos, such as to look up an address of a host and the like.^[2]

[1] See Ketzos Hashulchan 107 footnote 40; Derech Sicha Yisro p. 279; SSH”K 29 footnote 117;  Piskeiy Teshuvos 307:22 footnote 173

[2] The reason: As this is similar to reading newspapers which have a need of the body.

May one read words on a billboard or street sign?[1]

Seemingly it is permitted to read billboards and street signs in one’s mind if it is not recognizable to others that he is reading it.^[2] However this matter requires further analysis.^[3]

[1] See Ketzos Hashulchan 107 footnote 40; Derech Sicha Yisro p. 279; SSH”K 29 footnote 117; Piskeiy Teshuvos 307:22 footnote 173

[2] The reason: As since it is not recognizable to others that one is reading the signs, it should therefore be permitted, as is always the rule by Mimtzo Cheftzecha, that if it is not recognizable to others it is not forbidden. [306:1-2] So rules also Ketzos Hashulchan 107 footnote 9 that one may look for rent signs on houses on Shabbos. So is also clearly implied from 307:21 that reading in thought is permitted when not recognizable.

[3] Tzaruch Iyun from the ruling that one may not read the captions under paintings and the like [307:29], as in truth how can another person recognize whether he is reading the captions or looking at the picture. Vetzaruch Iyun. However, an alternative reason is because this is similar to reading newspapers which have a need of the body.

May one read announcements placed on a bulletin board?^[1]

Those announcements which do not deal with matters of business, or mourning may be read.

[1] SSH”K 29:48

May one read a cook book?^[1]

It is permitted to read it for mere enjoyment, as it is common for women to enjoy reading different ideas of recipes.^[2] However it is forbidden to be read as a preparation for preparing a meal in the coming days.^[3]

[1] Beir Moshe 6:67

[2] As a) One can view recipes as a matter of wisdom in cooking, and matters of wisdom are permitted to read on Shabbos in accordance to the custom.  [Rav SZ”A in SSH”K 29 footnote 116] b) The Magen Avraham 301:4 allows reading matters which give one pleasure.

[3] As in such a case one is preparing for the week to do a forbidden matter. [Beir Moshe ibid, SSH”K 29:46 forbids it in all cases due to this reason].

• General Prohibition: Newspapers containing business, economy, and advertisements are not to be read on Shabbos, even if one intends to read only non-business sections, due to the difficulty of avoiding business-related content.
• Permissible Newspapers: Newspapers without business-related content are permitted, but it is advised to avoid them as they may contain sad content, which is forbidden on Shabbos. Newspapers with Torah sections can be read, but some suggest reading them silently.

• Advertisements and Captions: Advertisements are generally considered business-related, though some are lenient. Reading captions under pictures is seemingly forbidden, but many are lenient. Newspapers forbidden to be read are considered Muktzah, and ordering newspapers for Shabbos delivery is strictly forbidden.

On Shabbos may one prepare next week’s Shabbos Torah reading?^[1]

Yes.^[2]

[1] Az Nidbaru 7:8

[2] As there is no prohibition in reading the Torah on Shabbos, and thus Mimtzo Cheftzecha does not apply.

May one read a Torah book on Shabbos for the purpose of writing about it after Shabbos, as is common with Chidushei Torah, or homework of Limudei Kodesh?

Some Poskim^[1] rule that doing so is permitted^[2]. However other Poskim^[3] have written that one is to refrain from doing so. 

[1] Kinyan Torah 2:115; Az Nidbaru 7:8; Piskeiy Teshuvos 307:1

[2] As a) It is not recognizable that one is doing so for the purpose of writing it down. b) In any event one is also doing it for the purpose of learning it now. [Az Nidbaru ibid]; and c) It is for the purpose of a Mitzvah. [Kinyan Torah ibid]

[3] Ashel Avraham Butshach 306 writes that one is to refrain from thinking of writing Chidushei Torah on Shabbos; Minchas Shabbos 90:9 learns to say that it is forbidden to look up a Torah subject on Shabbos if one plans to write it down.

May one read from the manuscript of a Sefer^[1] which is meant for editing?

If it is designated only for editing and not learning: It is permitted to be read such a book on Shabbos for learning purposes^[2], although for editing purposes it is forbidden to read it^[3].^[4] However there are some Poskim^[5] which are stringent and rule that one should not read such manuscripts at all on Shabbos. [According to all] this manuscript is considered Muktzah Machmas Issur on Shabbos as it is designated only for writing on.^[6]

If it is designated for both learning and editing:^[7] Then it is not Muktzah at all. Although it is forbidden to read it for editing purposes.

[1] The same applies for all other books which are permitted to be read on Shabbos which have been designated for editing. See Halacha 5 I

[2] As we do not suspect that one may come to find an area that needs editing and come to edit it.

[3] As it is forbidden to prepare on Shabbos for matters that may only be done after Shabbos.

[4] Based on Shut Radbaz brought in Sharreiy Teshuva 307:1; so rules SSH”K 20:18; Hisorerus Teshuva 2:165; Tzitz Eliezer 10:21; Az Nidbaru 7:8

[5] Kinyan Torah 2:115 and other Poskim brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos 307:1

[6]  Toldos Shmuel 3:99-16, brought in SSH”K 20 footnote 44; Piskeiy Teshuvos 310:1.

[7] Pashut, and so rules Piskeiy Teshuvos 307 footnote 2