Login   |  Register  | 

Login | Register |

Donate

Question about carrying and security

by | Aug 18, 2025 | Shabbat & Yom Tov | 1 comment

Hello,

As you requested in a previous question I create this new post for this question and a follow up of another one.

  • If you are travelling to a country where it’s important to always carry a phone and your wallet with your ID for security reasons, and there is no Eruv, you need to carry with a shinui or due to the risk you can carry as usual. I am talking about places where even in upper class neighborhoods you can experience a kidnapping or a security treat (the narco). This is a reality in some cities in South America for example or in Mexico.

The second question is an hypothetical case based on the conversation about buying on credit on Shabbat:

  • If you are in a place with a large Eruv, for example during holidays in another country, you could go to a restaurant between the Eruv, sit, relax a little and order a cold drink or a beer and pay with credit/debit card? Or maybe go to a museum or anything that isn’t against the spirit of Shabbat and pay your entry fee with credit/debit card? I guess even for food that wasn’t cooked for you on Shabbat it may be fine. Obviously respect for others is taken into consideration and the cultural sensitivities of the community you are in, but I want to know if this is Halachically permitted.

Thank you for your time!

1 Comment

  1. Aaron Abadi
    Aaron Abadi on August 18, 2025 at 5:07 pm

    Question 1) With no Eruv you can carry with a shinui in any area that is not certainly a Reshut Harabim De’Oraita. In order to be for sure a Reshut Harabim De’Oraita you need the street to be 32 feet wide, and that 600,000 people normally go there each day. Then, when you carry with a shinui, you are doing what is called a Shevut De’Shevut, which is allowed when necessary. If you need to walk in a Reshut HaRabim De’Oraita with 600,000 passers by per day, then if you can stay home, that is ideal. If you must go out for Pikuach Nefesh purposes, then take with you whatever you may need, and don’t think about it. It is important to understand that there are very few Reshut Harabims nowadays.

    Question 2) All true. Remember, the spirit of Shabbat is different for different people. You’re the one that determines what your spirit of Shabbat should look like.