based on:
"One Min Halacha" #1
By HaRav Yosef-Yeshaya Braun
member of the 3-man Lubavitch rabbinical court of Crown
Heights, Brooklyn.
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SHABBAT Law #s01: "Can a
non-Jew do work for me on Shabbos?
It is forbidden to ask a non-Jew, directly or indirectly, to
turn on the lights in one’s home on Shabbos. Shulchon Aruch (Code
of Jewish Law) states that it is forbidden to ask a goy to light a fire or
a candle even for people who are sitting in the dark during the meal on Shabbos
night, which would be for the purpose of a mitzvah.
Of course, when there are children or danger involved that is
different, but otherwise, it is an absolute prohibition to ask a goy to do
for a Jew something which is forbidden from the Torah for a Jew to do on Shabbos,
such as lighting a fire or a candle, or turning on a light.
True, Shulchon Aruch HaRav (by the Alter Rebbe of Chabad)
writes not to stop someone who is asking a non-Jew to do a prohibited action
on Shabbos. But the only reason they should not be stopped is that many people
probably will not listen anyway [in which case it is better that they remain
unawarew violators --ed.), because they think that asking a non-Jew to perform
a forbidden action in roundabout language is permissible, as long as it is
done in roundabout language and not stated explicitly. (The permissable manner
for a non-Jew to do a Shabbos labor from which a Jew will benefit will be
discussed in a separate issue.--ed.)
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Please note that these laws apply in general situations. In
unique circumstances, a different law may apply.
If you are unsure whether what you read here applies to your
particular situation, please consult a rabbinic authority.
