Public Transportation Profile. Reading Books on Shabbat. Interrupting a Meal
Question
1. If I have a youth profile on my Rav-Kav, and someone for whom I want to pay does not have one and pays the full fare, may I ideally pay for him (even if he does have the option to load his own Rav-Kav, but for some reason is not using it now)?
2. Regarding books on Shabbat, I did not understand whether it is permitted or not. I know that war stories are a matter of dispute, but what is considered “all books” today — are they all considered war stories?
3. Regarding using the bathroom in the middle of a meal, is it true that there is a distinction between relieving oneself for a bowel movement and urination regarding whether, if one then continues eating, he should recite a blessing over washing his hands?
What is considered “if he wants to continue eating,” such that he must recite the blessing over washing again — is that specifically if he continues eating bread, or any food during the meal?
And must he also recite HaMotzi again, since this is not mentioned?
And the blessings Asher Yatzar and Netilat Yadayim should be recited over the same washing when he exits the bathroom, correct?
Answer
Shalom u’vracha.
1. It is not possible. The bus company does not give you permission to use its bus except according to its rules.
2. A story that has no educational or moral message is defined as “war stories,” and it is forbidden.
The Mishnah Berurah permitted reading in the Holy Tongue, because there is some mitzvah in learning the language. But with “Hebrew,” and certainly for someone who already understands the language well, this leniency does not apply.
3. In practical halacha, one should not recite the blessing over washing the hands [in accordance with the view of the Maharshal cited in the Biur Halacha, section 164].
One should not recite HaMotzi again.
One who leaves the bathroom and wants to eat should wash his hands according to the law of washing for a meal, recite the blessing al netilat yadayim, and afterward Asher Yatzar.
