Q&A: Laws of the Sabbath
Laws of the Sabbath
Question
Is there a problem with riding a bicycle on the Sabbath?
Answer
Many say yes, but I think not (aside from issues of carrying, transferring between domains, and Sabbath boundaries).
People speak about a decree lest one come to repair it, but that is a decree being newly introduced in our time, and there is no authority to do that (there is certainly room for concern even without a formal decree, but that is no longer a halakhic prohibition).
Others talk about “it’s not Sabbath-right” (the character of the Sabbath, weekday-like activity), but I find that argument hard to understand. What defines that character if you do not assume the prohibition from the outset? Why does riding a bicycle contradict the nature of the Sabbath more than going for a walk?
Discussion on Answer
Maybe nowadays it is forbidden, after people have adopted the practice not to ride, because regarding things that others have treated as forbidden, you are not permitted to allow them in their presence?
You can talk about custom. But here it is more a halakhic mistake than a custom.
I didn’t understand. Is a custom to forbid something, if it is based on a mistake, permitted? About what kind of custom did they say that you are not permitted to allow it in their presence?
See an overview here:
https://www.hamichlol.org.il/%D7%93%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D_%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D_%D7%95%D7%90%D7%97%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D_%D7%A0%D7%94%D7%92%D7%95_%D7%91%D7%94%D7%9D_%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A1%D7%95%D7%A8
If you live in a sectarian environment, then really don’t do it.
Thank you very much, Rabbi, for the attention and the response. It’s not something to be taken for granted.
Now I’m asking practically: is it permitted to ride a bicycle on the Sabbath?
Halakhically it is hard to forbid. But the custom and the character of the Sabbath that have become established are without bicycles. I wouldn’t ride.
More power to the Rabbi for the quick and candid answer.