Hachona - Asking a Non-Jew

Q. Does the prohibition of hachona (preparing for after Shabbos) apply to asking a non-Jew to make the preparations (assuming no actual melacha is necessary)?

A. The Mishnah Berurah (319:62) writes that one may not ask a non-Jew to do hachona (just as one may not ask a non-Jew to do any other forbidden act on Shabbos). However, in cases of potential loss, we are more lenient. The Mishnah Berurah (321:21) writes that the Magen Avrohom permits asking a non-Jew to do hachona to prevent a major loss but not to prevent a minor loss. This follows the general rule that amira l’akum (asking a non-Jew) is permitted when there is substantial loss. However, the Mishnah Berurah cites other poskim who are more lenient regarding hachona, and permit asking a non-Jew even in cases where there is only a minor loss. In this respect, hachona is less strict than other prohibitions of Shabbos. Furthermore, Mishnah Berurah cites poskim who even allow a Jew to do hachona to prevent a minor loss if a non-Jew is not available.

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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.