Using Notes Written on Shabbat
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Question
Hello, I am participating in a course where the grade is very significant for the continuation of my studies. During the course, we were divided into pairs, and our goal is to write a research paper. Throughout the semester, we submit different parts of the paper, each part is reviewed by the instructor and returned with comments. Each part receives a grade (10% of the course grade), and then we are required to correct according to the comments and submit a final assignment, which accounts for 60% of the final grade. On Saturday night, I received the grade for one of the parts and noticed that the comments were written about 14 hours earlier - meaning, most likely on Shabbat. My dilemma is how I should act: on one hand, I need to use the comments to correct the work, as the final grade depends on it. On the other hand, there might be a concern of deriving benefit from an action done on Shabbat. Additionally, the work is not only mine but also of another partner, who also has responsibility and a need for the grade. What is the right thing to do in such a situation? Thank you very much for the opportunity to ask.
Answer
Hello and blessings
It is permitted to use the comments, and there is no prohibition of an action done on Shabbat.
Source
According to the instructions of the Gaon, Rabbi Ovadia Fried, shlita