1. We learned yesterday that it is permitted to violate Shabbat even through a Torah prohibition in cases of small children that are trapped somewhere. The same applies if a child of any age is missing on Shabbat and there is cause for concern as to his or her welfare, or that the child may be scared – one may call the police to help find the child (Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchatah 41:27). One who finds a lost child may also call the police themselves if the child is inconsolable (ibid.), or call a non-Jew if the child is upset or nervous. The above rules apply even when there is no concern of terrorists involved or being hit by a car, chas v’shalom – the concern for the child panicking is still sufficient reason to be lenient (R. Nebenzahl, B’yitzchak Yikarei 328:38).

2. Another example of a potential emergency on Shabbat is a public hazard. According to the Gemara, it is permitted to extinguish a white-hot coal in the public domain on Shabbat, since such a melacha is considered on a rabbinic level according to most opinions (melachah she’einah tzericha l’gufah). In modern times, R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach permits making a phone call to the electric company on Shabbat (following the opinion that electricity constitutes a rabbinic prohibition) to inform them of a downed electric wire or the like, as this poses a public hazard. Although one could remain at the site to warn any passersby, it is not required to do this, and one is allowed to make a phone call instead to solve the problem (Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchatah 41:21).

To sign up for the daily halacha via WhatsApp or email, click here.

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