Chapter 30
General Rules Relating to Actions Performed by a Non-Jew on Shabbath and Yom Tov
APPLICABLE PROHIBITIONS
2.a. In addition, one must not hint to a non-Jew that he should, on Shabbath or Yom Tov, perform a forbidden act for a Jew if
1) the hint is given on Shabbath or Yom Tov and
2) the hint is conveyed by means of expressions or motions which directly indicate to the non-Jew that he should perform the act.
2.b. One may, however, hint to him in this way (that is to say, directly)
1) before Shabbath or Yom Tov that he should perform the act on Shabbath or Yom Tov, or
2) on Shabbath or Yom Tov that he should perform the act after Shabbath or Yom Tov,
2.c. 1) Furthermore, one may hint to a non-Jew, even on Shabbath or Yom Tov, that he should perform the forbidden act on Shabbath or Yom Tov, if one does not use expressions or motions which directly indicate to him what he should do.
2) One should merely describe the situation to him so that he puts two and two together, understands that the act has to be done and does it of his own accord.
2.d. Illustrations of the above may be found in paragraphs 5 to 10 below.
2.e. The use of polite language does not turn a statement into a hint; thus, requesting or asking a non-Jew to do something is equivalent to telling him to do it.
