Q&A: Spices Purchased on the Sabbath
Spices Purchased on the Sabbath
Question
Hello Rabbi Michael Abraham. My partner’s parents are not observant of Torah and commandments. This past Sabbath they bought spices for the house, and they will prepare foods with them for future Sabbaths when we will also be staying with them. What should we do? Is it permitted to eat food made with spices that were intentionally bought on the Sabbath משום human dignity?
Answer
In my opinion, it is possible to be lenient for several reasons. First, it is not clear to what extent the decree applies to someone who does not believe in Jewish law. Second, this was not done only for you but for them as well. Third, a week has already passed (enough time for it to have been done after the Sabbath). Fourth, there is room to discuss it from the standpoint of nullification, although with spices that is not simple.
Discussion on Answer
Indeed, that is the view of most halakhic decisors.
In addition, apparently the Sabbath desecration was not done to the item itself but only in purchasing it (assuming they were bought already ground, like most spices).
The entire prohibition against benefiting from an act done on the Sabbath applies only when the Sabbath desecration created the product from which one wants to benefit. When the Sabbath desecration was not done to the product itself but only for its sake, it is permitted to benefit from it on the Sabbath if the desecration was unintentional, and after the Sabbath in any case and for everyone. For example, if an object or food was brought from outside the Sabbath boundary on the Sabbath, although this may not be done, it is permitted to benefit from it in the ways explained, since the Sabbath desecration was not done in producing the product from which one is benefiting.