In anticipation of an impending Erev Shabbos snowstorm (a 2-foot, 55 mph wind blizzard, in our case, this Shabbos, in Baltimore), the Star-K has provided the following two items for the YWN readership.
First is a “Halachic Guide for the Delayed Friday Afternoon Traveler”, a Kashrus Kurrents article by STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Dovid Heber.
At the end of the article is “Storm Weather and Halacha”, a video presentation featuring STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Zvi Goldberg, who discusses the halachic implications involved in storm weather (snow on Shabbos, etc.). Guest speaker is Rabbi Mordechai Frankel, Director of STAR-K’s Institute of Halacha.
Every few months, the phone rings on�Erev Shabbos�with a similar�shayla:� �We are not sure if we will reach our destination in time for�Shabbos.� What should we do?�� If the call comes from people who are stuck in traffic, my response has been, �Are you calling to find out thehalachos,�or to hear the best alternate routes to reach your destination?�
After determining where they are, how much time they have until�Shabbos�begins, and their different options, I then advise them on what the�halachos�are.� Last spring, there was a major storm on�erev Shabbos�and commuters from Baltimore who worked in Washington, DC were in a bind, as no late afternoon trains were running from Washington to Baltimore.� At my�Shabbos�table that night, I related an earlier conversation and�halachic�discussion that I had with a�baal habayis�stuck with other�Shomer Shabbos�passengers on a train.� After hearing the details, my wife suggested that I write an article about this important and very relevant issue.
The following is based on the�psak�of Rabbi Moshe Heinemann,�shlita, Rabbinic Administrator of the STAR-K.1
I. Preparing Before�Shabbos
It is important to leave enough time before Shabbos to reach one�s destination.2� When traveling long distances, one should ideally travel early in the week or no later than Thursday.� If this is not possible, then one should not schedule a trip (whether by car, bus or train) if one would arrive at the destination too close to�Shabbos. Ideally, set aside double the amount of time it normally takes for Friday travel and take into account a possible bus or rail mechanical delay or highway traffic jam with traffic at a standstill, and no good alternate route. These occurrences are, unfortunately, quite common and will lead to possible�chilul Shabbos�and cause unnecessary stress.�Leave enough time, especially before holiday weekends, if inclement weather is forecasted or if there is major construction en route.�Similarly, one should not take the last pre-Shabbos�flight3�(i.e., the last Friday afternoon flight that reaches one�s destination before�Shabbos) or flights that arrive too close to�Shabbos. Traveling too close to�Shabbos�to work a few more hours or save some money with a more economical flight is generally not the correct thing to do.
II. Friday Afternoon Troubleshooting
When one knows that he will not reach his destination, it is advisable to find a hotel room well before�Shabbos.� For example, the drive from the Delaware Memorial Bridge to Baltimore typically takes an hour and a quarter.� If it is one hour before sunset on a Friday afternoon, one may not continue to travel at 85 mph to reach Baltimore.� Besides putting oneself into a situation that may lead to�chilul�Shabbos, such �heroic acts� are illegal, foolish and dangerous.� In such a situation, one should exit and, if possible, go to the closest Orthodox community or neighborhood that one can reach before�Shabbos.4� In this case, one might arrange to spend�Shabbos�in Philadelphia, PA or Wilmington, DE.� If this is not possible, one should check into a hotel before�Shabbos�and purchase at least �basic necessities� for�Shabbos, ensuring that all food products that require kosher certification have a reliablehechsher.
When traveling on Friday, it is advisable to take along a box of�matzos�or rolls, in case one gets stuck.� If kosher wine or grape juice is not available, Friday night�Kiddush5�may be recited on�challos, or any other�Hamotzi�item.� In such a case, one should substitute the�brocha�ofHamotzi�in place of�Borei Pri Hagafen�and ideally recite�Kiddush�on �shalem� (complete)challos, rolls, bagels, buns,6�or�matzos�for�lechem mishneh.� If this is not possible, one may recite�Kiddush�on a slice of bread (i.e., even if one does not fulfill�lechem mishneh).� If none of the above are available, one may eat without Kiddush.7�For�Shabbos�lunch and�Havdalah, if kosher wine or grape juice is not available, one may use�chamar medina�(e.g., ideally beer but, if not possible, iced tea).8� Candles should be lit before�Shabbos.� If candles are not available or permitted, one should use flashlights or�b�shaas hadechak�(if there is no other option), turn the hotel room incandescent lights9�off and then on and recite a�brocha.10
III. Stuck on the Road When�Shabbos�Is About to Begin � General Guidelines
In order to understand these�halachos, it is important to review some generally relatedhalachos.
- Danger � If necessary, one must be�mechalel Shabbos�if one is in danger (or there is a possible danger).� For example, if on a Friday afternoon, a person is driving on an expressway with no viable exit in sight and the sun is setting, one may continue driving until11�reaching a safe location.� This is because getting out of one�s car and walking on the shoulder of an expressway is�sakanas nefashos�(dangerous) � especially at night or in bad weather.� The same is true if one is in a dangerous neighborhood.� However, one may not be�mechalel Shabbos�to reach an �ideal� destination.� For example, if one reaches a rest stop that is populated, serviced and open 24 hours a day (e.g., on the New Jersey Turnpike), or a hospital (if one can stay in the waiting room) before�Shabbos,12�one must spend�Shabbos�in such a location and may not drive to reach a more preferred location.
- Amira L�Akum�� In general, one may not ask a non-Jew to perform work for him on�Shabbos.� Therefore, unless one is ill or in danger, on�Shabbos�one may not ask a taxi driver to drive him to his destination.� During�bein hashemashos�(twilight), one may ask a gentile to perform�melacha�if it is�l�tzorech�mitzvah�(to perform a�mitzvah).13� Getting home is certainly a necessity to experience�oneg Shabbos.� So, if one is on a plane that landed just before�Shabbos, one may enter a taxi that will travel even after�Shabbos�begins, provided that he will reach his destination within 30 minutes14�after sunset.15
- Tchum�Shabbos�� One may not go more than 2,000�amos�(about two-thirds of a mile) past the end of the town in which he is located when�Shabbos�begins.16� Therefore, one may not travel from one city to the next once�Shabbos�has begun � even if a gentile is driving.17��Furthermore, one may not be in a taxi or on a train when�Shabbos�begins (at sunset) if he will leave the�tchum�on�Shabbos.� One should not fly on a plane that will take off or land on�Shabbos.18� Similarly, one should not board a train or plane � even before�Shabbos�� which will depart on�Shabbos.19
Generally, if one reaches his destination from outside the�tchum�on�Shabbos, one may only walk four�amos�(about 7 feet) in each direction.20� In this case, we do not consider the entire city as inside his�tchum.� However, the following are considered �inside four�amos�:
a) Inside one building21�(e.g. airport or home)
b) A fenced-in area that includes a place where people generally eat and sleep (mukefes chomah l�dirah).
c) Inside an�eruv.� For example, if someone from outside the�tchum�came�b�issur(in a way that was�halachically�prohibited) on�Shabbos�to Northwest Baltimore, where there is an�eruv, he would be allowed to walk anywhere inside the�eruv.22
Furthermore, if one cannot stay in this location for the following reasons, one may go to the closest safe location:
a) If one is being forced to leave his current location.� For example, if one arrives at a train station which is not open 24 hours.
b) If one needs to go to the bathroom, and none are available at his current location.23
c) If his current location is a dangerous place.
If one boarded a plane thinking he would land before�Shabbos, but then the plane ran late and landed on�Shabbos, one must remain in the airport building for the entire�Shabbos.� One must de-plane before takeoff if he realizes he will land after�Shabbos�starts.� If the airport will close (e.g., a small town airport), one may take a taxi to the closest safe location.
IV. What to Do In Specific Situations
A.�Driving�� Ideally, when one realizes that he will not reach his destination before�Shabbos, he should find a hotel or safe rest stop before�Shabbos�begins.� It is advisable to do this as early as possible before�Shabbos.� If it is close to sunset, one must exit, park his car and lock his possessions in the car (or find a gentile who will watch them on�Shabbos) before sunset.� He should then walk to his destination (if it is within the�tchum).� One may continue to drive if it is dangerous to stay where he is.� He must stop driving when it is safe enough to walk.24�For example, if one exited the expressway near his house and it is after sunset, he must get out of the car and walk the rest of the way.
B.�Train or Bus�(driven by a gentile) � One must get off before sunset.� If one is in the�tchum�when�Shabbos�begins,�b�shaas hadechak�one may stay on the bus or train until one reaches his destination.� If one will leave the�tchum�(e.g., one is in Edison, NJ at sunset and the train is going to New York), one must get off before sunset.� If this is not possible (e.g., the train or bus driver will not let him off, or if it is a dangerous location), upon arriving at his destination, he may only walk four�amos.
C.�Plane�� As indicated above, one should not be on a plane that will take off or land on�Shabbos. If one was on a plane in the air when�Shabbos�began, the following applies when landing:� If the airport one lands in is inside the�tchum�of the city�and�one was over the city at sunset (e.g., a flight into Midway Airport and at sunset the plane was over Metropolitan Chicago), upon landing, one may walk anywhere in the city (e.g., all of Chicago).� However, if the plane was outside the�tchum25�of the destination at sunset, or the airport is outside the�tchum,�one must stay in the airport building for the entire�Shabbos.
D.�Taxi�� As discussed earlier, if necessary, one may travel by taxi during twilight.� This is true, whether he enters the cab before or after sunset. �If he enters the cab after sunset, the driver should open the door for him.� The driver should also open the door when he reaches his destination.� After�Tzais Hakochavim, one may stay in the taxi driven by a gentile driver if one is ill or in a dangerous location.� Some�poskim�allow one to stay in the taxi (or have a gentile drive his car) after nightfall in cases where there will be a significant monetary loss, or if one lacks basic necessities (e.g., he will have to spend�Shabbos�in his car). Upon reaching ones destination, to avoid handling�muktza,�the taxi driver should be shown where the money for payment is.26
It is important to remember that when one needs to travel on�erev Shabbos, it should be done in a way that does not risk sacrificing �kavod�and�oneg Shabbos�, and which does not lead,chas v�shalom, to�chillul Shabbos.� Although it is impossible to anticipate every possible scenario when traveling on�erev�Shabbos, it is important that our plans not compromise or jeopardize our observance of�Shabbos�and�kavod v�oneg Shabbos.� This will allow our families to serve the�Ribbono Shel Olam�through the �Hailige Shabbos� ��l�shaim ul�tiferes.
1.�Ideally, if time permits, one should consult with his/her�Rav�to determine the ideal course of action, as each case is different.� What follows are general guidelines that obviously cannot cover every possible scenario. For further detailed explanations of these�halachos, see�Sefer Yoshav Ohel�by Rabbi Avrohom Ort and��Halachos for the Traveler��by Rabbi Doneel Epstein.
2.�These�halachos�are discussed in�Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim�(O.C.)�Siman�248 and 266.
3.��Last flights� before�Shabbos�on some airlines may be a lot earlier than one realizes.� For example, during much of the year, the last pre-Shabbos�flights on Southwest Airlines from the West Coast to the East Coast leave early Thursday afternoon.� If there is a mechanical or weather delay, there is no way to make it home before�Shabbosunless one pays a huge sum of money to a different airline for a �walk-up fare� on a flight that leaves Thursday night. This is because Southwest has no �red eye flights� and will not transfer passengers to other airlines. When flying overseas (e.g., to Israel or Europe), it is advisable to leave by Wednesday night to arrive at one�s destination by Thursday.�Exercise caution when booking reservations � especially when one has to change planes en route. A missed connection may mean spending�Shabbos�in a foreign city, causing much aggravation and expense.� Furthermore, some Wednesday night flights to Israel stop in Europe for lengthy periods of time and one does not arrive in Israel until Friday. When traveling to the Far East or Australia, note that the Wednesday night flights arrive there on Friday.� Tuesday night (or earlier) flights are advisable.
4.�Contact Shabbat.com at 718-705-5000 for assistance in finding a home for�Shabbos.
5.�Rabbi Heinemann once asked�Harav�Moshe Feinstein�zt�l, whether one sings�Shalom Aleichem�if he is ill at home (since�malachim�did not escort him to his home).��Rav�Moshe said �Yes�, since he is an�oness�(difficult circumstance with no other option).� So, too, a person stuck in a hotel would also sing�Shalom Aleichem.
6.�If they are sliced, they are acceptable with the following conditions:� a. The two halves are still attached;
b. When picking up the smaller piece, the larger piece remains attached and does not break off.
7.�Mishna Brura�289:4.� If one knows that�Kiddush�will be available within the next few hours, it is preferable to wait.
8.�During the day, if one does not have any of the above beverages then recite�Hamotzi�on bread (if available) forKiddush�before eating anything else (Mishna Brura�289:10).
9.�The lights or flashlights may not be fluorescent or LED, as these may not be used for�neiros Shabbos.
10.�In general, if a woman was stuck on the road or in a place that is impossible for her to light candles, she would not have to light an extra candle for the rest of her life.� This is because in such a situation, she is anoness�(in an impossible situation).� An extra light is added only if one was negligent or forgot to light (seeShemiras Shabbos K�Hilchoso�43:5).� If one is in doubt regarding these matters, consult a�Rav.
11.�If possible, minimize the�chilul Shabbos�(e.g., use hand signals instead of electronic flashing signals, which involve performing a�melacha), and upon reaching the destination hint to a gentile to turn off the engine.
12.�The same would typically apply if one reached such a destination on�Shabbos.
13.�For a full discussion of�amirah l�akum�and other�heterim�during�Bein HaShemashos, see�Shulchan Aruch O.C.�342.
14.�There are various opinions regarding the length of�Bein Hashemashos.� For this�heter�in the�halachos�ofamira l�akum, we recommend 30 minutes as the approximate time of�Bein HaShemashos�provided one has not been�mekabel Shabbos�(see�Teshuva�#44 of�Harav�Moshe Feinstein�zt�l, in the back of�Halachos�of�Shabbos�by Rabbi Shimon Eider).� Note:� This time may be shorter in the southern United States.
15.�Once nightfall has arrived, one may not ask a gentile to perform�melachos d�Oraysa.� Under certain circumstances (e.g., for a�mitzvah or Oneg Shabbos), one may ask a gentile to perform a�melacha d�rabananeven after nightfall and on�Shabbos�day. �Therefore, he may be asked to carry one�s� belongings necessary for Shabbos in an area that is not a�reshus harabim d�Oraysa.
16.��Town� does not mean the city limits but, rather, the end of where people reside.� So, typically a densely populated city is in one�tchum.� If at the end of the city (where neighborhoods are more spread out) there is a gap of 141.42�amos�(about 250 ft) between neighborhoods, one may only walk 2,000�amos�from where houses first end.� In unpopulated areas, one�s�tchum�is 2000�amos�in each direction from where he was when�Shabbosbegan.� Determining the�tchum, especially in cities, is quite complex and difficult to ascertain without consulting a local�rav.
17.�Even according to the opinions which hold that one does not establish a�tchum�while in motion (see�Emek Hateshuva�by Rabbi Y. Roth,�chalek�1�siman�20), the above case is�assur�since one can assume the car will have to stop at a light or in traffic.
18.�Regarding flying in and out of�Shabbos�by crossing the International Dateline, see�A Traveler�s Guide to the International Dateline�on our site.
19.�Regarding ships that travel or dock on�Shabbos, see�Don�t Miss the Boat: Halachic Guidelines of Kosher Cruises�by Rabbi Zvi Goldberg, available on our site.
20.��Each direction� means to the north, east, south and west.� Diagonally, the distance is 5.6�amos�(about 10 feet � see�Rama�O.C.�396:1).
21.�This is true if people eat and sleep at this location (i.e., it is�mukefes chomah l�dirah�� see�Shulchan AruchO.C.�405:6).
22.�See��Mishna Brura 405:22��and��Biur Halacha 405:6 “Aval”��where he notes the opinion of the��Rashba, Ritva, and Tosfos (Eiruvin 29a – V’hoshevo Reb Mayer)�, and what is��mashma��from the��Gr”a.
23.�Shulchan Aruch O.C.�406:1.
24.�One should hint to a gentile to turn off his car.
25.�The issue of�tchum�is quite complicated.� In these cases, one can assume he has left the�tchum�when taxiing on the runway.
26.�Halachos for the Traveler, page 65
01-28-2015 Storm Weather And Halacha from STAR-K KOSHER CERTIFICATION on Vimeo.
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One Response
Thank you for this informative article. I was wondering if anyone can explain why the area between Edison and nyc is considered two tchumim if there are no breaks in the built up areas between the two. Am I factually wrong or halachclly wrong? If there is continuous housing between Edison and nyc isn’t it one tchum?