Amirah l'Nochri, Part 13

Hi,

We have been learning about Amirah l'Nochri, asking a non-Jew to do things on Shabbat that a Jew may not do personally.

We have said one may not hint to a non-Jew regarding a biblically prohibited practice on Shabbat, but some authorities permit a hint that does not actually mention the prohibited act.

For example: One could not say, "Why haven't you opened that package," because then one has actually mentioned the prohibited action. One could, though, say, "I can't read this letter, because the package is sealed."

This may seem like semantics, but it's not: The prohibition against telling the non-Jew to do the action stems, in part, from a prohibition against speaking of non-Shabbat activities on Shabbat, and in the latter hint one has not spoken of those activities.

(Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 307:14)

Have a great day,
Mordechai