Q&A: Inviting a Secular Friend to a Sabbath Meal
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Inviting a Secular Friend to a Sabbath Meal
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I have a secular friend who is going through a certain process of becoming religious.
Am I allowed to invite him to a Sabbath meal? It is possible that he will come and return by car.
Is it enough to tell him that he has a place to sleep here? What if he says with certainty that he will come on the Sabbath and return on the Sabbath?
Answer
In my opinion, it is permitted. It is appropriate to offer him a way to visit without desecrating the Sabbath, but if he does not do so, you need not be concerned about it.