In the next few posts we will learn some of the halachot related to emergencies on Shabbat, as a follow-up to the halachot we studied concerning pikuach nefesh on Shabbat. We will begin with a brief summary of the halachot of fire and then move into other types of emergencies.

1. According to Chazal, a fire that starts or spreads on Shabbat is not always considered to be life-threatening, and in such cases, one may not put it out. One may only cause it to be extinguished indirectly (Shabbat 120b; Shulchan Aruch 334:22). One may also remove certain items from one’s home necessary for Shabbat into an enclosed courtyard, even if there is no official eruv.

2. According to the Rema (ibid.), the leniency of extinguishing a fire indirectly applies only if monetary loss will be incurred otherwise. In such cases, one may hint to a non-Jew to extinguish it but may not tell them directly. Tomorrow, we will discuss the halacha concerning most fires today, which are considered to be life-threatening.

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for everlasting peace in Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.