Shabbos Shoes

Q. Should one have a special pair of shoes for Shabbos to honor the Shabbos day?

A. Rav Zylberstein (Chashukei Chemed Yoma 23b) writes that this would seemingly depend on the wording of a text in the Yerushalmi (Shabbos 6:2). According to the reading of the Korban Ha’eida, the Yerushalmi states that most people are not expected to own two pairs of shoes, and it is unnecessary to have a special pair of shoes for Shabbos. However, the Pnei Moshe has a different wording of the Gemara. According to his text, the Yerushalmi states that it is common for most people to own two pairs of shoes, one for weekdays and a second for Shabbos. Most poskim favor the reading of the Korban Ha’eida and do not require special shoes for Shabbos. Furthermore, Sefer Rav Pe’alim (OC 4:13) writes that Chazal obligated changing clothing for Shabbos, but shoes are not considered clothing. He proves this from the fact that we make a beracha every morning thanking Hashem for our clothing, and then we make a separate beracha thanking Hashem for our shoes. Rav Ovadya Yosef (Yechave Daas 5:23) cites many authorities who agree with the conclusion of the Rav Pe’alim. Nonetheless, many note that if one does not have a separate pair of shoes for Shabbos, the shoes should be shined on Friday to honor the Shabbos.

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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.