Arukh HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 245:13-246:2

Sugya Map

• Issue: Permissibility of a Jew benefiting from a non-Jew's melakha on Shabbat.
• Nafka Mina: Distinguishing a non-Jewish kablan for a sole Jewish business (often permitted) from a non-Jew working within a Jew-non-Jew partnership (forbidden).
• Primary Sources: Arukh HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 245:13-246:2; Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 246:1.

Text Snapshot

The Arukh HaShulchan (AHS) presents a critical distinction: while a non-Jewish kablan (contractor) working for a sole Jewish business is permitted (excluding mekark'a), a Jew-non-Jew partnership engaging in Shabbat melakha is prohibited. The AHS states: "אבל אם היה עסק יהודי ונכרי ביחד, אסור."[^1] The core s'vara is the implied reciprocity: "בודאי ירצה הנכרי שיעשה היהודי לבדו ביום חול תחת השבת שעשה הוא... נמצא שהוא שלוחו גמור."[^2] This renders the non-Jew a full agent, as if explicitly stating, "אתה עשה לי בשבת ואני אעשה לך ביום חול."[^3]

Readings

Shulchan Aruch (OC 246:1)

Forbids a Jew and non-Jew from being partners in a business requiring Shabbat work, citing marit ayin (appearance) and the non-Jew's work being "לצרכו" (for the Jew's need).[^4]

Arukh HaShulchan (OC 245:13)

Provides a deeper s'vara for the prohibition, moving beyond marit ayin. The AHS posits that the inherent nature of partnership creates implied agency due to reciprocal obligation, even without explicit instruction.

Friction

Kushya

Why isn't the benefit derived from a non-Jewish kablan in a sole Jewish venture also considered "לצרכו," thereby implying agency and making it forbidden?

Terutz

The AHS distinction clarifies: in a sole venture, the kablan acts independently for his own gain, and the Jew's profit is secondary. In a partnership, the work directly fulfills both partners' shared obligation, creating a direct, reciprocal agency that is "שלוחו גמור."

Intertext

• Bava Kamma 113a: Discusses various forms of shutfut (partnership) and s'char Shabbat, emphasizing the severity of hana'ah (benefit) from melakha d'Yisrael on Shabbat.

Psak/Practice

The Arukh HaShulchan's rigorous analysis reinforces the halakha found in the Shulchan Aruch, prohibiting Jew-non-Jew partnerships that involve Shabbat melakha. This impacts the structuring of joint ventures and employment contracts, necessitating care to avoid even implicit agency that violates hilkhot Shabbat.

Takeaway

The nature of partnership fundamentally implies reciprocal agency, transforming a non-Jew's work on Shabbat from independent contracting to forbidden direct benefit.

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[^1]: Arukh HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 245:13. [^2]: Arukh HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 245:13. [^3]: Arukh HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 245:13. [^4]: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 246:1.