Q&A: Auctions on the Sabbath
Auctions on the Sabbath
Question
Good evening, Rabbi. I wanted to ask about being represented by a machine on the Sabbath. On the eBay sales site there is an option to participate in an auction with a limited time. I wanted to take part in such an auction, but I discovered that the time limit ends in the middle of the Sabbath—and then, ostensibly, the acquisition takes place. In addition, there is an option to improve your chances of winning by using a sniper—a program that submits your bid in the last 5 seconds of the auction—so that others won’t have a chance to submit a higher bid. My question is whether, in the Rabbi’s opinion, any auction that ends on the Sabbath is problematic, and if not, whether there is a problem with using such software, which ostensibly represents you and submits a bid on your behalf during the Sabbath. Thank you in advance.
Answer
I don’t think there is any prohibition here. As for making an acquisition on the Sabbath, this is an entirely virtual matter, and clearly there is no concern that one might come to write. I assume the entire physical process is handled abroad by non-Jews.