שטרי הדיוטות

שְׁטָרֵי הֶדְיוֹטוֹת

Restricted Reading on Shabbos (and weekdays!)

This topic includes:

• What kind of content is restricted?

• What form of writing is forbidden to read?

• What exactly am I forbidden to do?

What kind of content is forbidden?

​Figurative/poetic works, as well as fables and stories dealing with mundane topics and matters of [romantic] desire . . . as well as books which chronicle wars, are forbidden to be read on Shabbos. They are even forbidden to be read on the week because of
1) "sitting place of scoffers" [i.e. forbidden to hang out with people who make light of important things]

2) "don't turn to idols (Vayikra 19:4)" [which forbids, as Chazal said] -- don't turn to what the idols you conjure up from your mind, and

3) literature dealing with romantic desire have another prohibition of inciting our yetzer hara/ temptation to sin.

​Aruch Hashulchan:
" . . . Definitely, according to the basic, technical halacha, it is impossible to forbid [reading books of wisdom on Shabbos]. However, it is a pious mode of behavior which is suitable and worthwhile for everyone to conduct themselves [in a way which minimizes such reading] in order to honor this holy day. It is a proper, ideal way of [observing Shabbos in a way] that, aside from Torah, nothing else should be heard from him [i,e be his preoccupation/conversation] on Shabbos . . . "

Open Ended

What kind of reading is only forbidden on Shabbos?

Open Ended

What three categories of reading are also forbidden on Shabbos?

Open Ended

What is the Aruch HaShulchan's somewhat lenient conclusion regarding reading "chochmah" books which contain non [explicit]-Torah wisdom?

Open Ended

The kind of history described in Shulchan Aruch as categorically forbidden is what? What would be a modern-day example of such history?

​Mishnah Berurah:

"Regarding reading newspapers on Shabbos: Even though in [the sefer] Sh'vus Ya'akov he was lenient about this, many acharonim (poskim of the later period) forbid it because [newspapers] contain business information"

Understanding how any reading could be forbidden

• What about the general rule of ״דִּיבּוּר אָסוּר, הִרְהוּר מוּתָּר״ i.e., that the prohibition is only technically to speak about forbidden topics, but thinking is permissible? How can reading be forbidden?

Multiple Choice

Usually, when it comes to talking business or other forbidden topics, the general rule is

• speech or thought is forbidden

• speech is forbidden, thought is permitted

• speech is permitted, thought is forbidden

• only extended thought or speech is forbidden

Multiple Choice

However, sometimes even silent involvement is forbidden if

• the subject of your thoughts is particularly inappropriate for Shabbos

• you have no one to speak to, so your thought is taking the place of speech

• when it's clear what you're doing even without your speaking your aims out loud

• it's an issur d'o'rai'sai [Torah prohibition]

Multiple Choice

We assume that even silent reading of business material and the like is forbidden because

• people often end up saying what they're reading out loud

• people often mouth the words they're reading, which is an action

• Reading documents can take a significant amount of time, so it's more serious than a passing thought

• Reading documents -- even silently -- is obviously involving yourself in the business/forbidden Shabbos activities you're reading about.