Rabbi Heshy Kahn
Visiting a Winter Resort
Q: In the event that one is at a ski lodge over the weekend may one go skiing or snowboarding on Shabbos?
A: Various issues may arise upon embarking on a ski or snowboard expedition on the Shabbos day.
Without an Eruv
Taking the ski lift may be permissible as there are no buttons that have to be pushed. This eliminates the issue of ma'aros ayin.[1] Secondly, one is not necessarily adding any more electrical current to the mechanics of the lift.[2] Nonetheless, one would probably[3] be prohibited from skiing and snowboarding as one may come to carry his sporting paraphernalia upon completing the slope. This is even more applicable for someone who skis with sticks as there would be no heter to take the sticks back to the lodge.
With an Eruv
If the slopes are of the kind to be fenced in, hence allowing one to carry, there may be other issues to keep in mind.
- In general the rabannon prohibited squeezing snow as it is either: a) creating water (molid)[4] b) squeezing out water (sechita)[5]
The Taz[6] explains that these decrees against snow would make walking outdoors in the winter an impossibility. Therefore the rabannon lifted their ban (of either molid or sechita) as they don't administer decrees[7] that are impossible to adhere to.[8] This would be true to walking on snow, but to say that chazal were not gozer in order to allow one to go skiing on snow is a bit of a stretch.
2. One may not exercise strenuously in order to build up a sweat.[9] Since many go skiing and/or snowboarding for the workout it provides, one may be transgressing the issur d'rabannon of refuah.
3. Most importantly, the main issue to be concerned with is that of zilzul shabbos. It is most definitely not within the spirit of Shabbos to be sloping down a mountain on this holy day.[10]
Q: Are there any concerns with kashrus when visiting a ski lodge resort etc.?
A: One may:
- order cold beverages from the syrup machines such as Coke or Pepsi and assume that it is kosher (assuming the lodge is within the United States of America)[11]
- have any unflavored beer that is offered on the menu[12]
- use the cups, mugs, pitchers etc. for cold drinks even though they were not toveled[13]
One should not:
- use their plates, bowls, cups etc. for hot foods or drinks that one has either bought with him or ordered there
- order any hot beverage aside for regular or decaf coffee or tea which should be placed in a disposable cup
- use the central grill that many ski lodges have in order to cook food for one's private BBQ as there is almost always grease and remnants of previously grilled unkosher meats that is still attached to the grates
Hot Weather Getaway
Q: May one go swimming at a hotel where people of the other gender are doing so as well?
A: Chazal prohibited one from walking through the place where women do laundry as one may see them with their sleeves rolled up in an immodest fashion.[14] Surely swimming together, of which exhibits significantly more immodesty would be prohibited even more.
Q: Is there any problem with suntanning on Shabbos?
A: Some poskim go as far as prohibiting intentional suntanning as this leaves a semi permanent color on the skin,[15]thereby transgressing tzoveah. However not all poskim concur with this ruling and everyone holds that it is permitted to merely sit outside if there is no intention of tanning, even if one will be pleased with the tanned results.
Q: May one go swimming in a pool on Shabbos?
A: Although chazal decreed one not to go swimming lest one come to make a raft[16] this ordinance was only made for an ocean, river or pond. Nonetheless, one may not swim in a regular indoor swimming pool for other melachos that may be compromised. As
- swimming will cause one to soak his garments, thereby cleaning them (as merely “soaking” is halachicaly enough to be considered “cleaning” on shabbos[17]
- even if one were to have vinyl non-absorbent swimwear, Ashkenazim have a minhag not to bathe in any body of water (aside for a mitzvah) on Shabbos. Similarly to what is mentioned above by skiing the zilzul shabbos involved would be equally as damaging.[18]
Touring Europe
Q: If one is on a group tour that enters a house of worship may one proceed inside?
A: One would not be permitted to walk inside a church[19] nor should one benefit from any particular design that is adorning the structure. Merely going in to ask the guide or a member of the church a question is just as prohibited.[20] Entering a mosque is not as equally forbidden as a church, however this should be avoided as well. If one is davaning nearby and hears the singing or music of a house of worship he should do his best to “tune out” or close the windows.[21]
Q: Are there any halachos to keep in mind when chancing upon a notable dignitary?
A: One should actually try to fulfill the mitzvah of seeing a king or a queen at some point in one's life. If one notices them or their entourage one should recite “baruch atah Hashem...sh'nasan m'chvodo l'baaser v'dam”.[22] If one comes into contact with a government official who does not have the power to commute life and death sentences he should recite the blessing without the shem u'malchus.[23]
Q: If one visits a bais hachaim what should one be aware of?
A: Assuming one has not been at this cemetery for 30 days he should recite[24] a special b'racha.[25] If one is visiting various cemeteries over the course of the day only one b'racha should be made. Some say that this is true even if the tour will last several days, one may make a single b'racha and have them all in mind.[26] Even if one is farther away from the cemetery (e.g. Kohen who can't go up close), as long as one can see it clearly one can recite the b'racha.
[1] Igros Moshe O.C. 2:95
[2] See Shmiras Shabbos K'hilchasa 23:49, footnote 138, 139,140
[3] The author has not seen any written responsa dealing with this particular question, hence this is not a definitive psak on the nekudah of carrying
[4] Rashi Shabbos 51b D”h K'dai, the Rashba brings down the sefer hatruma who holds that its nolad
[5] Rambam hilchos Shabbos 21:13
[6] 320:10
[7] Surely it has to be understood that one has to be of the Taz's stature to be able to make such a statement. For one to decide what the parameters of each g'zairah d'rabannon is would surely be our of the scope of one's jurisdiction
[8] S.A. 320:13
[9] S.A. 328:42, SSk”h 34:22
[10] This is pashut and is no need of sourcing
[11] As heard from R' Moshe Dovid Lebowitz, Rabbinic coordinator if the chof-k
[12] This in no way condones drinking alcoholic beverages with non-Jews, as such behavior can obviously lead to frivolity and have undesirable repercussions
[13] As utensils owned by a non-Jew are not obligated in tevila
[14] See Makos 24a, S.A. E.H. 21:1
[15] Minchas Yitzchok 5:32
[16] Baitza 36b
[17] Igros Moshe E.H. 2:13
[18] M.B. 326:21
[19] Igros Moshe Y.D. 3:129:8
[20] Bichai Yosef 149 D”h chatzer
[21] Igros Moshe O.C. 1:47
[22] S.A. 224:8
[23] Be'er Haitiv 224:6
[24] S.A. 224:12
[25] Baruch atah Hashem....asher yotzer eschem....the entire b'racha is too lengthy for this publication but could be found in most Siddurim
[26] Natai Gavriel 84:4, see around the world the halachic way pg. 33