Does using a toilet on the Shabbat result in any problems for orthodox Jews? Watering plants/picking flowers If everything is complete on Shabbat and we are refraining from things that indicate that we have mastery over the world, then causing things to live (or in some cases causing things to die) would, of course, be avoided. I know that they’re supposed to pre-tear toilet paper to use on the Shabbat (:eek:) but does the act of flushing amount to “labor”? But I'm not sure if this is right. toilet paper I thought I read or heard somewhere that if you don't have precut paper etc you can tear toilet paper in an unusual way (e.g. Only our interpretation to use it in modern life. Enter your email address to get our weekly email with fresh, exciting and thoughtful content that will enrich your inbox and your life. G-d forbid, the Torah has not changed. But the rituals at least offer some hope that at least some will contemplate.My expression is: “It’s a thing.” And this is a thing that expands a consciousness that today is different, not unlike the Passover Seder. Why no hand creams or moisturizers on Shabbat?Rabbi Silberberg resides in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife, Chaya Mushka, and their three children. Slaving to prepare a Thanksgiving turkey dinner with cranberry sauce and yams and pumpkin pie without contemplating the loneliness of Roanoke or Jamestown, the fear of meeting the first Native Americans in a New World where King George, from whom they fled, was not nearby to protect them?To contact the Rav to speak at your gathering, Nevertheless, for love of the Shabbat, we endeavor to prepare alternatives. Food packages may be torn open. Tearing apart two attached items. Some people pre-tear their toilet paper and fill a basket with it. Today we avoid tearing.” And, while we avoid tearing construction material for building purposes, we maintain the mindset.Actually, of course, the toilet paper thing starts with the principle of not tearing. by biting it off). How many people – on both sides of the political aisle – miss the message of what the American experiment in freedom and democracy is meant to be? So it is in everything. We don't always see the tangible benefit of observing the Torah laws, that's why it's all about perspective. 3. For example, one may tear toilet paper in a public facility (say, a hotel) while attending a conference on Shabbat if no alternative exists. Can you rip toilet paper not along the perforated Stack Exchange Network Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow , the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. On a related principle, toilet paper may be torn if there is no alternative. 2. But then someone (or a book or website) will tell you, "Oh, you can't tear toilet paper on Shabbat." Tearing is (although sounding destructive) inherent in the construction process. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with Chabad.org's Why is it forbidden to turn on the hot water faucet? This is fine if you want to spend the time and effort but it often ends up with scraps of paper underfoot and wasted toilet paper. Tearing is allowed as long as you are not: 1. For instance, you take toilet paper for granted. Just a piece of paper to be used. I felt better doing it, not tearing and it is not hard work preparing that the day before, I did it for the first time and felt better Rinse and repeat for most Shabbat "rules." It is sad when people get frenetic and miss the underlying message. © Copyright, all rights reserved. Creating a viable utensil through tearing (for example: tearing toilet paper). Human dignity is paramount. Just wonder Spending July 4 setting off fire crackers without contemplating freedom from tyranny? I fail to see how that is being creative? A: Because today is different. However, facial tissue is wasteful, not ideal for plumbing.