HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Shoveling Snow on Shabbat While it seems to be a simple matter that shoveling snow on Shabbat should be forbidden, in reality, the halacha is not so simple [see: Har Tzvi Tal Harim Soter 1]. Were it not for the issues of “tircha” [lit. abnormal exertion] or “zilzul Shabbat" [fig. diminishing the sacred nature of Shabbat], shoveling snow on Shabbat may have been permitted.
At least one contemporary authority [Nishmat Shabbat 2:247] ruled that shoveling snow should be permitted, especially when there is a concern that a person may slip and fall. However, because people might misunderstand this leniency, shoveling snow on Shabbat by a Jew should be avoided. Nevertheless, he rules that a non-Jew may be employed to shovel the snow and even asked on Shabbat to do so because of the fear of injury [see also: Mishna Halachot 4:45].
In a similar vein, Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz, ztz”l ruled that if a person has hired a non-Jew on contract to shovel snow, it is not necessary to ask the non-Jew to avoid doing so on Shabbat. He reasoned that the non-Jew is acting as a contractor and is helping to avert a danger [see Shulchan Aruch 308] and is choosing to do so on Shabbat because it is easier for him to do so while the snow is still fresh.
Furthermore, while shoveling snow by a Jew is generally prohibited, it may be permitted to use a broom to sweep snow in front of one’s home [Nishmat Shabbat, ibid.]. However, others do disagree [Lev Avraham 48].
Finally, Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata [chapter 25 note 49] rules that it is permitted to spread salt or sand on snow or ice on Shabbat. In fact, in a case where the snow or ice may cause people to slip and fall, he writes that it would be permitted “according to everyone.”
DVAR TORAH "And these are the names of the Children of Israel HABAIM [literally: "that are coming"] to Egypt. [Shmot 1:1]
Why was the opening sentence of our parasha written in the present tense ("Habaim") and not in the past tense (Asher Ba'u)?
The Midrash [Shmot Rabbah 1:4] explains that even though the Jewish people had been in Egypt for many years, they still felt as if it they had just arrived. Why? Because the Bnei Yisrael refused to assimilate into Egyptian culture. They considered themselves, and were considered by the Egyptian people, as "outsiders" who had just arrived. As the Midrash describes, "Reuven and Shimon descended to Egypt [and the same] Reuven and Shimon returned from Egypt [unaffected by Egyptian society]".
Explained Rav Soloveichik, z”l, that those who view this separateness of "Habaim" as a curse, do not understand the essence of the Jewish people. For the Jew, by nature, has common interests with the rest of the world, interests that are derived from our relationship with G-d - the Creator of the world. Therefore, we participate in society. However, when that society attempts to pull us away from our direct covenant with G-d, we must not surrender our identity. Because we are destined to be a people who are always "Habaim" - ready to participate, but also willing to resist all attempts to lose our unique identity.
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MAZAL TOV * to David and Yael Shiner on the upcoming marriage of their son Jacob to Rikki Bruckentstein, daughter of Dr. Ron and Rachel Bruckenstein. Mazal Tov to grandparents, Kalman and Ethel Shiner and Rabbi Abraham Bruckenstein.
* to Chaim and Judy Reich on the bar mitzvah of their grandson, Yossie Ninio. REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Etai Rimel – Etai Yaakov ben Tzipporah, who is recovering in rehab.
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Early Minyan Kiddush is sponsored by Jim and Terri Rosenwasser in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Jim’s father, Jerrold Rosenwasser z’l.
A donation to the Kiddush Fund was made by: Carol Silverman in honor of her son, Richard’s birthday.
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BIRTHDAYS Mrs. Gitta Domsky (12/25) Mr. Robert W. Matanky (12/26) Ms. Carole Groover (12/27) Dr. Joshua Hassan (12/27) Adir Matanky (12/27) Mr. Richard Silverman (12/28) Ariella Kleinman (12/29) Mr. Ari Nussbaum (12/30) Mr. David Yahav (12/31)
ANNIVERSARIES Dr. Eli and Miriam Jacobs (12/25) Dr. David and Rachel Spindel (12/25) Efrem and Neena Holley (12/26) Robert and Susan Kaplan (12/26) Rabbi Israel & Esther Porush (12/26) Rabbi Ari and Rebecca Zucker (12/27)
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