Return to homepage

Bookmark This Site
 
Search our site
Have a question about Jewish customs and practices?
 
Send this page to a friendDecrease Font
Page DownBottom

FacebookRedditDeliciousDigg
Share this page
 
ASK RABBI DAN
by: Rabbi Dan S. Wiko PhD
  See the rabbi's bio.
 
Send a question to the Rabbi

This Month...

Editor's Comment
Michael looks at:
Farewell, Shalom and Adieu


Features
An Open Letter from Abba to His Family

Enough With The Political Finger-Pointing!

Revisiting the Haggadah

Eddy's Recipe List
Victoria Sponge

Book Review
Unstrung Heroes

The Outspeaker
Encouraging violence is never correct

Batya
Good times and bad times with Batya

Nathan Weissler
What my friendship with Michael Hanna-Fein meant to me


Marjorie Wolfe
An Interview with Paul Reiser

BC's Backlot
The Last Shalom

This And That
My Treasure Chest

Three Symbols of Passover

Stress

Lynn Ruth Miller
How we all became part of a bigger story

Mel Yahre
A few words for my friend

Eddy's Thoughts
Don't let life flutter by

The Bear Facts
How I found Michael

 

On Thursday, September 10, 2009 I was asked the following question:

I am writing with a question which may be relevant for Gantseh Megillah readers:
I currently consider myself a Modern Orthodox Jew and as such I refrain from driving on Shabbat. The question I would like to ask is: What would contemporary Jewish Law say (all the way from Modern Orthodox to Reform, Renewal etc.) if the only way to participate in the community and observe the Sabbath is to operate a vehicle?

Let's say the alternative would be staying home by yourself and being sad and lonely--which is contrary to the Shabbos spirit. And let's say one finds it difficult to observe Shabbos properly alone and the only way to do proper observances is to drive to synagogue or to a friend's house for a meal etc. What is your opinion on this question and what do you think contemporary Halakha would say?
Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Nathan

This was my response:

Shalom Nathan,

You pose a very interesting and often asked question. Basically, the response according to Halakha, it is not permitted to operate a vehicle on Shabbos for a number of reasons. One being that you are causing a spark and, secondly, you are causing something on wheels to move.

There are a number of, otherwise observant people, who believe that it is "ok" to drive to and from shul as long as there are no deviations from the drive. You could not stop at a friend's house for lunch unless it is directly on your route home. There is yet another opinion that says "if you're going to drive anyway, drive to shul." Of course, these opinions are not halakhacally accurate or valid. I live in a small community in which people drive 15-20 miles to come to an Orthodox Shabbat service and they are all welcome and included in the service. So............

Orthodox = no driving under any circumstances (except pikuakh nefesh-in case of illness. It is expected that, even the rabbi, calls 911 if someone becomes ill on Shabbat while in shul.
Conservadox = not acceptable but, also, not frowned upon.
Conservative = not acceptable but, usually, expected to happen.
Reform = acceptable and most often the norm.
Reconstructionist = has so many opinions as a movement that it depends on the congregation. Some compare it to Humanism and less a "religious practice."

My opinion.........Better to drive to shul and, even, join friends for lunch, than to miss out on the spirit of Shabbos.

Best,
Rabbi Dan

If you have questions about a personal matter, or jewish practices and customs, you can submit them to me by e-mail. I answer all queries directly, or through this column, when the question is informative to our community.

Thank you for your kind attention and this opportunity to share with you,
Rabbi Dan S. Wiko
Back to the list

 
  See a list of all the Rabbi Dan questions      
   
Advertisement

Page UpTop Small Monitor Subscribe Tzedakeh Links

Subscribe (free) to the Gantseh Megillah. The Gantseh Megillah and GantsehMegillah.com are designed and hosted by HannaVisioN About this site Send a financial contribution to this site Contact us See our glossary of Yiddish words and expressions Log In Join
Personal insights from two yiddishe meydls Life stories from the heart News and information with a lighter touch Politics and policy with a Yiddishe taam