Q&A: Desecration of the Sabbath
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Desecration of the Sabbath
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I have a secular friend who is flying abroad, and for that period he is lending me his motorcycle. He only asked that before he returns, I leave the motorcycle at the airport so that he can get home when he lands. But his return will be on the Sabbath. Am I allowed to do that? (That is, to “prepare” the motorcycle for him the day before so that he will have it during the Sabbath.)
Best regards,
Abraham
Answer
He asked you to return his motorcycle to the airport on a certain date. What he does with the motorcycle is his problem. Especially since, even without asking you, he himself would leave the motorcycle there so it would be ready for him. In my opinion, there is no prohibition.
Discussion on Answer
Secular friends are forbidden.
This is no different from lending a motorcycle in general, where there is no prohibition against returning it to its owner even though it is known that he rides it on the Sabbath.