For Dati people who would like to participate in שבת ישראלית, but who might not be comfortable with the idea of inviting someone to their home whom they know will drive home on Shabbat, here is some halachic guidance from the Beit Midrash Hilchati of Beit Hillel. See pp 5 - 9 of this psak [eng.beithillel.org.il/docs/beit-hillel-pub-english-2.pdf] (H/T Beit Hillel - English) SUMMARY: In our opinion, which is based on the rulings and the actual practice of the great Torah authorities of recent generations, across all sectors and communities, it is proper to invite family and friends to Shabbat meals with the intention of reaching out to other Jews and bringing them closer to Jewish values, or with the intention of preserving unity and goodwill in families, communities, and society. The sanctity of the Shabbat and its reverence require that we impose certain restrictions on this trend in several ways: The importance of observing the Shabbat should be explained to the guests. It is preferable to invite the guests in advance, and for the entire Shabbat. In any case in which the guests refuse their host’s offer of hospitality for the entire Shabbat, it is preferable to extend an invitation for Friday night, asking the guests to arrive before Shabbat sets in. The guests’ departure after the meal is of their own free will, and the result of their own refusal of their host’s invitation to spend the night at their home, and there is no direct link between their driving home and their host’s invitation. The less preferable option is to invite guests for the Shabbat day meal, when it is clear that the guests will travel on the Shabbat in order to attend the meal. However, in situations in which such an invitation is desirable and highly necessary, especially when family harmony and integrity are at stake, the possibility of extending an invitation for the Shabbat day may be considered as well. Because of the complex individual and communal nature of this issue, it is important and highly recommended to consult a local Torah authority who is aware of the local situation, and who is able to arrive at the appropriate decision in context, taking into account the multitude of considerations. In the words of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein regarding a different matter (Iggerot Moshe, Yoreh Deah 3:81): “A local rabbinic authority, who is aware of the local situation, and who it is competent to make the ruling in this case, based on his greatness in knowledge of the Torah and his fear of God, should take into account the neighboring communities, which do not require such leniency. They should take measures not to rely on the permissive ruling granted to this particular place, lest the damage outweigh the benefit.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 10:21:40 +0000
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