The Ta”Z notes that this would only be allowed if one said that they are “going” or “walking”. One may not say that they are “travelling by wagon”, as there is no possible permissible basis to travel by wagon on Shabbos. Using a term that is specific for using transport would be forbidden. For example, one cannot say that I am going to fly to Sydney.
One may say that I am going to a certain place, even if their intention is to travel by vehicle, even if their friend understands that they will be travelling by vehicle. Since the language used i.e. “going”, does not clearly express using transportation, it is not “recognisable” as being something forbidden.
What if the place that one is going to is too far away to walk and can only be reached by transportation? For example, on Shabbos, may one say “I am going to America”, which requires air travel? Some Poskim rule that in this case it would be forbidden, because from the context, it is clear that the person is referring to employing a forbidden mode of travel. Other Poskim are lenient, focusing purely on the terminology used.
Another example would be to say to someone “I’ll be in touch with you during the week” which would be permissible, even if one intended to use a phone, since it could be done in person. Whether one may say “I will speak to my friend in America during the week”, without saying “I will call”, would be subject to the same dispute above, as it is clear that one would have to use a telephone.
The above only applies if one is saying that they will do the thing after Shabbos. If one is speaking about what someone else will be doing, it would be permitted. For example, one may say that “so and so is flying to America”. This is because it is just relating stories or events. Nonetheless such conversation would still be mundane conversation.
Oneg - for enjoyment
In last week’s edition, we wrote that if one has enjoyment from it, they may speak mundane chatter on Shabbos. This leniency does not apply to speaking about doing forbidden things.
Mitzva purpose
From the phrasing of the prohibition of ממצוא חפציך - procuring your affairs, the sages derive that only pursuing personal matters are forbidden. Mitzvah related matters are permitted.
Generally, this allowance does not apply to ודבר דבר when speaking about doing things that are forbidden on Shabbos. This is because the speaking does not actually contribute to or facilitate the fulfillment of the Mitzvah and cannot be described as לצורך מצוה. An example would be saying that I am going to buy a Mezuzah this week or I am moving to Israel this week.
- Yishaya 58:13
- Shabbos 113b
- Orach Chaim 307:1
- Shabbos 113b ד"ה שלא
- Bach Orach Chaim 307 ד"ה ודבר דבר, Shulchan Aruch Harav 307:1. By looking at the examples that they bring, this appears to be the understanding of the Rambam and the Shulchan Aruch.
- Also brought by the Alter Rebbe
- Shaarim Metzuyanim Behalacha
- Orach Chaim 306:6
- Tur quoting Maharam Rottenberg. Shulchan Aruch Harav 306:13
- Shabbos 12a – Beis Hillel. Shulchan Aruch Harav 306:13
- Shabbos 150a, Shulchan Aruch Harav 306:14
- Pele Yoetz
