629. Contracting a Non-Jew for Long-Term Work

Shabbos 6:11

If a Jew buys a house in Israel from a non-Jew, he may instruct the non-Jew to draw up a bill of sale on Shabbos. Directing a non-Jew to perform acts of labor on Shabbos is a rabbinic law that the Sages did institute in such a case so as not to impede Jews from settling in the land of Israel. This also applies in Syria (land annexed to Israel by King David), which is considered the same as Israel proper.

Shabbos 6:12

If a Jew contracts a non-Jew for a job and they agree upon the price, the non-Jew is then considered an independent contractor. Therefore, even if he does the job on Shabbos, it is permitted (since he does so for his own convenience). Similarly, a Jew may hire a non-Jew for an extended period of time even though the non-Jew will end up performing labor on Shabbos. For example, a Jew may hire a non-Jew to serve as a scribe or a weaver for a year or two. The non-Jew may then write or weave on Shabbos (because he does so for his own convenience). It is the same as contracting the non-Jew to write a scroll or weave a garment in that the non-Jew may do the job whenever he likes. This is only permitted so long as the Jew does not pay him on a daily basis.