Q&A: Using a Cell Phone on the Second Festival Day of the Diaspora
Using a Cell Phone on the Second Festival Day of the Diaspora
Question
I am from the Land of Israel and currently live in the U.S. This whole issue of the second festival day is hard for me…
1. On Shemini Atzeret, should I eat in the sukkah?
2. Is there any basis for being lenient about doing prohibited labor privately?
3. Should I put on tefillin privately on the second festival day (Simchat Torah)?
4. Is there any basis for being lenient about using a cell phone in order to stay updated about the situation in Israel?
Answer
See an overview here (in the last chapter): https://ph.yhb.org.il/category/%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%A2%D7%93%D7%99%D7%9D/09-%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9D-%D7%98%D7%95%D7%91-%D7%A9%D7%A0%D7%99-%D7%A9%D7%9C-%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%99%D7%95%D7%AA/
I would add that, in my view, the whole matter of the second festival day is puzzling and does not really have a place anymore (because it is clear that even if the Temple is rebuilt, people in distant places will not go back to observing two days). In any case, we are stuck with this decree and have no authority to revoke it. Therefore, in my opinion, wherever there is room to be lenient, one may be lenient.
Discussion on Answer
Take a look at column 397.
What about electricity on the Sabbath in general, or is there already an article about that? If so, I’d be happy to know.