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
13.a. 1) One is allowed to hint to a non-Jew that he should carry out some action to prevent a serious loss of property.
2) This is permitted
a) even if one employs an expression which directly indicates what is to be done and
b) even when the act involved is forbidden by the Torah (and not only by a Rabbinical prohibition).
3) The reason why hinting to a non-Jew in this way was permitted by the Rabbis in such a case is that
a) people tend to lose their composure when suddenly faced with the prospect of serious financial damage and,
b) if not allowed a practical alternative, they might themselves come to perform an action
which is prohibited by the Torah, in an effort to save their property.
13.b. Consequently, when there is a fire, one may say to a non-Jew,
1) “Whoever puts out the fire won’t lose by it,” or,
2) in a place where the firemen are not Jewish, “Whoever calls the fire department won’t lose by it.”
(See also Chapter 41, paragraph 14.)
13.c. If a freshly poured concrete roof will not harden properly and will be ruined in the event that it is not watered on Shabbath, one may say to a non-Jew “Whoever waters the concrete won’t lose by it.” (See also Chapter 23, paragraph 43.)
