The congregants of my shul live miles away and the streets have no sidewalks. It could be argued that is is dangerous to walk to shul. Are they permitted to drive to shul on Shabbas?
Ask The Rabbi
Ask The Rabbi
category: Shabbat
The congregants of my shul live miles away and the streets have no sidewalks. It could be argued that is is dangerous to walk to shul. Are they permitted to drive to shul on Shabbas?
Arriving to shul by car means that one is performing a Mitzvah (positive command) by means of an Aveirah, (transgression) and thus is not permitted. If the journey to shul is dangerous, it is better to pray alone at home and not come to shul at all (on Shabbat).
If however, a person did arrive at shul by car, one should relate to him in a friendly manner, since today such people are in the category of ‘captive children’ (who did not get proper exposure to their Jewish heritage) and one must not embarrass them, G-d forbid, but try to influence them in a pleasant manner.