Shabbos Snow - Conclusion

Q. We have discussed the issue of snow shoveling for several days. What is the bottom line – may I shovel my walkway on Shabbos?

A. Having ruled leniently in all of the Shabbos issues raised above, the Nishmas Shabbos (4:247) concludes that there is an element of zilzul (degradation) of Shabbos in shoveling snow on Shabbos as it appears inappropriate to the general population. As such, it is best to shovel only when there is a real danger of people falling and harming themselves. Even then, it would be better to use a broom rather than a shovel and, if at all possible, a non-Jew should do the shoveling.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.