831. Reading Mundane Documents

Shabbos 23:19

We are not permitted to read mundane documents on Shabbos out of concern that one might act in the normal manner and come to erase things. One is permitted to count his guests and the necessary appetizers but he may not refer to a written list out of concern that he will come to read mundane documents. He might only read such a list if the guests’ names were engraved on a tablet or the wall because this could not be mixed up with a document. One is not permitted to read the writing under statues or portraits on Shabbos. One may not even read the books of Kesuvim (the Writings) at the time when the study hall meets out of concern that people will come to neglect the study hall, opting to stay home and read the books of Kesuvim instead.

Shabbos 23:20

If a fire breaks out in a courtyard on Shabbos, one may not save his possessions by moving them to another courtyard in the same alley even if carrying is permitted by an eiruv. This is a preventive measure out of concern that one might come to douse the fire in order to save his property, since a person doesn’t think clearly when his possessions are endangered. The Sages also ruled that one may only save the volume of food that he needs for that Shabbos, as well as the utensils and clothes that he will need for that Shabbos. Since he gives up on saving the rest of his property, he will not come to extinguish the fire. In the absence of an eiruv, one may not even save food and utensils for Shabbos.