Chapter 30
General Rules Relating to Actions Performed by a Non-Jew on Shabbath and Yom Tov
ACTS PERFORMED BY A NON-JEW FOR AN ILL PERSON
OR TO SAVE SACRED WRITINGS OR
TO PREVENT SERIOUS LOSS
12.a. One may tell a non-Jew on Shabbath to save sacred writings from being destroyed, even if, in so doing, he will have to perform an act prohibited by the Torah.
12.b. It follows that one may tell him to put out a fire in order to save sacred writings, even when there is no danger to life.
12.c. Sifrei Torah, the Pentateuch, the Prophets, the Talmud, halachic works, prayer books and other Torah study books, as well as extracts from them and commentaries, are all considered to be sacred writings.
12.d. From this stems the practice of telling a non-Jew to put out a fire, even where there is no danger to life, in order to save the mezuzoth fixed to the doorposts (it being forbidden for a Jew to remove the mezuzoth from the doorposts on Shabbath).
12.e. It is also the practice to tell a non-Jew to put out the candles in the synagogue after the Friday night service, for fear of there being a fire which could destroy the sacred writings kept there.
12.f. A person who finds sacred writings in reshuth ha-rabbim on Shabbath, and is apprehensive that they may be destroyed or damaged if left where they are, may tell a non-Jew to bring them to his house.
