Q&A: Government Work on the Sabbath
Government Work on the Sabbath
Question
Hello Rabbi, I wanted to know the Rabbi’s position regarding government work on the Sabbath? (the railway and so on) And also regarding public transportation on the Sabbath? And on the halakhic level, would I be allowed to ride a train whose operation involved Jews desecrating the Sabbath?
Answer
I don’t have a position. If it can be done on a weekday, that is of course very preferable.
As for public transportation on the Sabbath, I am completely in favor of it. I oppose all coercion.
You may ride it, because they did not do it for you, and for other reasons as well.
Discussion on Answer
Indeed. If you know that he truly believes and is obligated, and is sinning only because of his evil inclination, then there is definitely value in coercion (and there is also a halakhic obligation to do so).
By the way, regarding opposition to coercion, do you think there is value in religious coercion toward a religious Jew? As I understand it, we are in effect helping him and saving him from sin (like involuntary hospitalization due to a person’s temporary insanity when he is trying to harm himself). Alternatively, there is also the idea that all Israel are responsible for one another, and one person’s sin affects the community, so there is justification for coercing a religious Jew. As for a secular Jew, I think it is reasonable to assume that he is not really in the category of obligation regarding commandments/sins.