Preparing children for bed on Shabbos

Hi,

One may not prepare for after Shabbos, on Shabbos.

However: One may put children into pajamas on Shabbos even if they will not go to sleep until after Shabbos, if there is any good reason - aside from a desire to make things easier after Shabbos - to do it now.

For example, one may change children into pajamas if their clothing is dirty, rather than change them into a fresh outfit and then into pajamas. One may also change children into pajamas if they normally wear pajamas for an hour or two before bed.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:105:3)

Have a great rest of Yom Tov,
Mordechai

Putting dishes in the dishwasher on Shabbos

Hi,

One may clear dirty dishes from the table and put them in a dishwasher on Shabbos, even though that will expedite the process of washing them after Shabbos. This is not called "preparing for after Shabbos"; it is simply part of the process of cleaning up the room so that people can sit there.

However: One may not sort the dishes into the spots they will occupy in the dishwasher during washing. Aside from the prohibition against sorting, one may not prepare for after Shabbat.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:74: Rechitzah 4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Cleaning up from Seudah Shlishit

Hi,

If the table in the synagogue, on which Seudah Shlishit is eaten, is needed for maariv, then one may clean it before maariv. Otherwise, it should not be cleaned until after Shabbat.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:70:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai