A Question From the 23rd Century
Real questions, submitted by actual OU Torah followers, with their real answers. NOTE: For questions of practical halacha, please consult your own rabbi for guidance.
Q. I'm looking for information regarding the complications of using a transporter on Shabbos
A. A transporter? You mean like on Star Trek?
Q. Indeed I do. Your name came up as the go-to for this.
A. Great. That's exactly the reputation I had been hoping to cultivate.
Anyway, since you asked, there are a number of potential issues involving transporter technology. The first is that it is technology, so having Scotty "energize" it to beam you down would be problematic. Let's put that aside, assuming that it is possible to automate the process, or that you're one member of a mostly non-Jewish landing party who are beaming down regardless.
The next issue is techum Shabbos, the Sabbath boundary. One is not permitted to travel more than 2,000 cubits (approximately 2/3 of a mile) outside of the city limits. There is a difference of opinion as to whether this rule applies over three feet or so, so if one could fly, it is unclear whether or not he would be permitted to do so beyond the techum. This would also affect whether one could "beam" beyond the Sabbath boundary. Since this matter appears to be unresolved, we might have to act stringently in a case of doubt. (If it is prohibited to beam outside of the Sabbath boundary, this would render the transporter a kli shemelachto l'issur, a device whose primary purpose is prohibited on the Sabbath. As such, one would then not be permitted to use the transporter even to beam within the city itself.)
Finally, there is a general question as to how transporter technology works. There is reason to believe that it actually destroys a person and creates an exact copy elsewhere. If this is in fact the case, it might be prohibited ever to use a transporter (even on weekdays) because it's murder. But perhaps the transporter simply disassembles a person and reassembles him elsewhere. If so, this would violate a Biblical prohibition against demolishing something on the Sabbath for the purposes of building.
I hope this answers your question.
Rabbi Jack's latest book, Ask Rabbi Jack, is now available from Kodesh Press and on Amazon.com.