In this session we conclude and summarize the discussion of Muktzeh. We learn why packages delivered on Shabbat are not muktzeh and that they can be brought inside. We also learn why it is OK to tear toilet paper, paper towels, Saran wrap, or aluminum foil on Shabbat. We mention, in passing, umbrellas, bicycle and electricity, and learn why it is ok, and even recommended, to play with Lego and make jigsaw puzzles on Shabbat.

On Nov. 16, 2018, Elal flight from NY to TLV was delayed for 5 hours. The captain decided to take off despite requests of orthodox passengers to be let off in NY. The plane eventually landed in Athens, the orthodox passengers were accommodated by Chabad, while the others were taken to Israel by another carrier. The case caused a lot of strife, contention, and mutual accusations. In this podcast we try to find what would Halakha say about this case.

Yes, you can use all these on Shabbat if it is for a purpose which is allowed on Shabbat. For example, cracking nuts with a hammer, or using scissors to open a bag. If you were negligent and forgot to take the Challah out of the freezer, you can slice it with a saw and then warm the slices on the Blech. Beyond that, we discuss the laws of Muktzeh, or, as some people pronounce it - Muktzah.

True story: One Friday night, during dinner, some random Jewish guy showed up at the Hillel of an Ivy-League college located in a "sketchy neighborhood". His car had broken down maybe ten blocks from the edge of campus and his wife and infant were planning to spend all of Shabbat in the car (in the sketchy neighborhood), and asked whether the students could form a human chain to get some food to the car(!)

This is of course an extreme example of how people lose their common sense, but the prohibition against carrying children where there is no Eruv makes Shabbat unbearable for some people. This podcast discusses the opinion of R. Aharon Leib Margaliyot in Peri Tevuah, who says that it is permitted and that not carrying borders on hypocrisy.

We also discuss the interesting evolution of watches, from muktzeh to a necessity.

This session continues the discussion of permissible and forbidden speech on Shabbat. The Shulhan Arukh, chapter 307, seems to reverse his ruling allowing the study of secular matters on Shabbat. This is explained in light of the literature available at the time, but it is also an example of the contradicting opinions one might find in the Shulhan Arukh.

The second part of this podcast is an introduction to the laws of Muktzeh - the objects one should not touch on Shabbat. The main reason for that rabbinic prohibition is to associate the forbidden work on Shabbat, especially commerce, with physical objects.

In this session we discuss the laws of Shabbat related to speech, which are listed in Shulhan arukh, Orah Haim, 306. It is important to maintain the special character of Shabbat and not engage in conversation which cause worries, distress, and anxiety, or which focus on the activities of the workweek. The Shulhan Arukh also mentions that it is a problem to hire rabbis and cantors for Shabbat services and offers ways to bypass the problem

Finally, we discuss the pressing issues of voice-activation, or more correctly, AI devices such as Echo, Google home and Orbi. The conclusion is that one may engage those devices on Shabbat. However, great care should be taken not to erode the character of Shabbat. For example, maybe ask Alexa to turn off the lights or control your Nest, but not to play music.

In this session we discuss several of the actions which might be forbidden on Shabbat because of the concept known as the Spirit of Shabbat. While one should not think of business or travel plans, it is surprising to see that the Shulhan Arukh says that it is allowed to teach a profession on Shabbat. One is even allowed, in certain cases, to sign a contract on Shabbat.