“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Chol Hamoed
Succos
19 Tishrei 5779/September
28, 2018
Contemporary halachic authorities rule that one may not run a
washing machine or dishwasher in his home during Shabbos. One may not even
leave it on before Shabbos so that it will continue to run after Shabbos
begins, nor may one allow a non-Jew to run it during Shabbos, because having a
machine running demeans the spirit and honor of Shabbos.
Gavriel and Michael Staum – age 2 - disagree. Forget about a
non-Jew, they themselves turn on many of these devices on Shabbos. (Chani wants
to know if she can put soap in the dishwasher and soap in the washing machine
before Shabbos, because the odds are that it will be turned on by little
fingers sometime during Shabbos.) All of my efforts to explain to them about
the honor of Shabbos, and that they aren’t on the level to challenge the
opinion of the leading Poskim of our time have thus far been unsuccessful.
What’s more, they hold that they are allowed to turn lights on and off on Shabbos, use the phone, turn the heat up - especially when the air conditioning is running - and play with electrical toys that make noise.
What’s more, they hold that they are allowed to turn lights on and off on Shabbos, use the phone, turn the heat up - especially when the air conditioning is running - and play with electrical toys that make noise.
The Tur famously asks why we celebrate the holiday of Succos
at this time of year, and not shortly after Pesach? If the reason we sit in
succos is to commemorate the fact that G-d protected us in succos (huts)
throughout our sojourns in the desert, that journey began as soon as we left
Egypt?
(Let’s stop for a moment to wonder what the women would have
said if Moshe Rabbeinu announced that shortly after Pesach ended there was to
be another weeklong holiday of Succos with more meals and holiday
preparation...)
The Chiddushei Harim explains that the Torah states that we
sit in the succah “So that your generations will know that I caused the B’nei
Yisrael to dwell in booths when I took them from the land of Egypt...” (Vayikra
23:43)
Part of the succah experience is to contemplate and
internalize the lesson of the succah - the idea that the same G-d who protected
them from the vagaries and perils of the desert, is our sole protector as well.
There is no time during the year when we have greater
spiritual clarity than immediately following Yom Kippur. After the great days
of awe have afforded us the opportunity to analyze our lives and refocus on our
priorities, we are able to recognize what’s truly important, before we are
overwhelmed and distracted again by our daily affairs.
That is why Succos - the holiday that requires knowledge and
understanding - must directly follow Yom Kippur.
We are hopeful that as Hashem continues to bless Gavriel and
Michael with maturity and intellect, they will come to understand the infinite
value and opportunity that Shabbos grants us each week, and that it is our
greatest merit to desist from all weekly affairs during the holy day. Until
they attain that intellectual maturity, I guess there will be empty dishwashers
and washing machines running on Shabbos. And if you see a missed call from us
on Shabbos, you’ll understand why!
Good Shabbos & Shabbat Shalom
Good Moed & Chag Sameiach,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum