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Correspondence

Dec. 2, 1965

Letter from R. Jakobovits about Mezuza (1965)

Practical Halacha
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Note

Memorandum Concerning Contract with Non-Jew to Ensure Sabbath Observance (1965)

The wholesale aspect of the business. If a non-Jewish employee works on a commission basis (either completely or in addition to a salary) then the following should be established in advance: the man must be told that he is to initiate no business on his own on Sabbath or Jewish Holidays. In other words, he should not solicit any business, either personally or by telephone, nor should he arrange, if possible, any business appointments on that day. However, he is completely free to answer any queries that he may receive either personally or through the telephone. In such case, no ”shtar mekhirah* is necessary.2• If a non-Jewish employee is not on a commission basis for the wholesale part of the business, then a ”shtar mekhirah’’ becomes necessary.3• In order for all the above to become effective, even through the use of a ״shtar mekhirah,” and allowing at the same time, for the Jewish name of the firm to be used for this new West-coast venture, it is highly important that the retail business be entirely in the hands of the non-Jew, such that all sales that he makes and all business that he procures will yield him direct benefit. He should not, in other words, be merely an agent for the Jewish firm in the retail aspect of the business. Even,if, for insurance or legal purposes, it is necessary that the retail business be incorporated under the name of the Jewish owners of the wholesale business, as long as it is clearly understood that all work done by the non-Jew is directly to his own benefit or loss in the retail area, which means that it is effectively his own business, then the venture may be entered without fear of the violation of the Sabbath. However, even in this case, it is imperative that every effort be made to supply a different name for the retail outlet. Even if one should be willing to keep, in small letters, the name of the Jewish owners, than at least one should add in bolder letters, both for the sign on the door…
Practical Halacha

Correspondence

Letter to Harry Lindeman Approving Shabbat Candles for Use (1968)

Dear Mr. Lindeman: Thank you very much for the candles which you sent to me and which I have tested. I am pleased to report to you that from the point of view of Jewish law, this particular type of illumination fulfills all the requirements for Sabbath lights and also for use during the festival of Chanukkah. In other words, they may be used in place of candles on Friday evening, and if you should produce a candelabrum, using lighter fluid, provided that each wick draws from its own reservoir instead of from a common pool, they would be valid for the festival of Chanukkah when eight lights are kindled. I would be glad to advise you any further if any questions should arise. Please let me know if you want me to return the material you sent to me, and, if so, where to send it. My best regards to Mr. Paperman and the other gentleman who visited me with you. Cordially yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm
Practical Halacha

Correspondence

Letter from R. Jakobovits about "Halachot Vahalichot" (1991)

נחום חביבי, את חטאי אני מזכיר היום על שאיחרתי לאשר קבלם ספרך הנפלא "הלכות והליכות" ונכתב ינערך בטטו"ד. חקרת וענייתי ומלאתי את אשר אהבה נפשי, חיבור מלא וגדול, והיו לי רגשי "קנאת סופרים" שמותרים בתורה ע"פ הש"ע, כי לו יהא גם חלקי בתוך מפיצי חידושי תורה כמוך. ואולח עוד חזון למועד אחרי שאברך ברוך שלא עשני אב"ד (לפי הנהגת ר' יעקב עמדן שמעולם לא שמש כרב). בספר יש כמה פרקים שהייתי מעונין בהם במיוחד, ותרשה לי להוסיף הערות אחדות כנינך קטנטן משלי על דבריך.
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