In last week’s edition, we quoted the verse from Yishaya ודבר דבר, from which the sages derive that our speech on Shabbos must be different from our speech during the week.
Rashi explains that this refers to speaking about business and accounts, whereas Tosfos understood this to be a prohibition on speaking excessive mundane conversation on Shabbos. The Shulchan Aruch adopts both understandings.
In the previous edition we focused on the issue of Devarim Beteilim, mundane speech. In this edition we will explore the Halachic application of the prohibition on speaking about doing forbidden Shabbos activities, such as business.
Tosfos ague with Rashi. Since speaking about business is already covered by the prohibition of ממצוא חפציך, pursuing one’s affairs, it cannot be the meaning of ודבר דבר.
The Poskim resolve Tosfos’ question. The speaking that is forbidden on account of ממצוא חפציך is where the speech on Shabbos is effective in facilitating the forbidden work or action after Shabbos. An example would be asking their friend to come to harvest their field, where the speech is part of the preparation.
ודבר דבר refers to speaking about doing something that is forbidden to do on Shabbos, but where the speech itself is not a preparation. An example of this would be a person saying that after Shabbos, they are going to harvest their own field, which does nothing to actually assist in or prepare for the harvesting.
Unlike Devarim Beteilim where only excessive speaking is forbidden, speaking about doing things that are forbidden on Shabbos is categorically forbidden, even with just one word.
Common examples include saying; “I’ll fix it after Shabbos”, “I’ll buy it for you during the week”, “I have to write it down after Shabbos”.
The prohibition on speaking about doing things that are forbidden on Shabbos, is subject to the same criteria as the prohibition of ממצוא חפציך. To be forbidden 1) it must be about something that is forbidden to do on Shabbos, 2) it must be recognisable as something forbidden and 3) there can’t be any permissible way of doing it on Shabbos, even if only theoretically.
Based on this, on Shabbos, one would be allowed to say to their friend that tomorrow they will be walking to a certain city, even if it is outside the Techum Shabbos. Even though walking outside the Techum is forbidden on Shabbos, it would be “theoretically” permissible if there were small watchman huts along the way which would extend the Techum.
However, where the speech itself is fulfilling a Mitzvah, it will be permissible on Shabbos. On this basis, the Shulchan Aruch rules that one may speak to a Melamed on Shabbos about engaging their services or speak to make a Shidduch. This is also why one may pledge Tzedaka on Shabbos. This is also the basis for making Mi Shebeirach pledges.
Nisht oif Shabbos Geredt
Contrary to common practice, it remains forbidden to speak about doing forbidden activities after Shabbos, even if one says “Nisht oif Shabbos Geredt” or the like.
Some suggest that this phrase was originally employed in cases where the speaking was permissible, such as for a Mitzvah or when speaking a limited amount of mundane conversation. Since these are technically permissible anyway, the phrase was just added as an extra reminder about the holiness of Shabbos.
Likewise, there is no leniency to discuss buying and selling or financial calculations even if they substitute dollars with bagels or Challahs.
Other aspects of Shabbos speech
In his commentary on the verse, the Rada”k explains that on Shabbos one should speak in a gentle manner, that is different to the rest of the week. Rabbeinu Bechaye writes that just as one should walk differently on Shabbos, not running or taking large strides, we should change the way in which we speak on Shabbos. This would apply even when speaking about permissible things on Shabbos.
This is not a Halachic requirement and is not brought in the Poskim. Nonetheless, it is an act of piety (Middas Chassidus).
In a further act pf piety, there were great mystics who were careful to only speak in Lashon Hakodesh on Shabbos and not speak in non-holy languages. This was the practise of the Ariza”l, the Shala”h and also the Baal Shem Tov. Speaking about matters that are forbidden or excessive mundane conversation, remains forbidden even if one is speaking in Lashon Hakodesh.
