Chapter 30
General Rules Relating to Actions Performed by a Non-Jew on Shabbath and Yom Tov
PROHIBITED ACTS PERFORMED IN THE COURSE OF PERMITTED ACTIVITY
23.a. 1) One may ask a non-Jew on Shabbath to perform an activity which a Jew is also permitted to perform, even if one knows that the non-Jew will, to that end, do an act which involves a Torah prohibition, but
2) one should not ask such a thing of a non-Jew if one also intends immediately to benefit from, and make use of, the prohibited act oneself, and the non-Jew knows this.
23.b. 1) It is, therefore, permitted to tell a non-Jew to wash dishes for a Jew, even if one knows that, in order to wash the dishes, the non-Jew will
a) turn on the light and heat water or
b) operate a dishwasher.
2) One should not, however, ask this of a non-Jew if one’s intention is to wash the dishes together with him, once he has turned on the light and heated the water for the purpose.
3) Nevertheless, if the non-Jew has begun washing the dishes by himself,
a) one may help him by the light of the lamp which he has switched on, although
b) one should not wash the dishes in the water the non-Jew has heated on Shabbath. (See paragraph 48 below.)
23.c. 1) One may ask a non-Jew to bring something from a dark room, knowing that he will have to turn on the light in order to find the required object.
2) Yet, one should not ask a non-Jew to come with one, if, in so doing, the non-Jew will have to turn on the light.
3) This is because
a) the direct and immediate benefit derived from the light by the Jew, coupled with
b) the fact that the non-Jew is coming for the purposes of the Jew,
makes it clear that the non-Jew is in reality turning on the light for his Jewish companion.
