Forbidden speech on shabbos
Question
My friend, who I haven't seen for a few months met me on Shabbos and told me he wants to give me a present of his new sefer after shabbos. Was this a problem of dabber dovor since one isn't allowed to give presents on shabbos?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
Indeed, as a general rule one should not give gifts on Shabbat. This is among the Shabat restrictions that are based on the words of Isaiah 58:13 who said: "[honour the Sabbath by not] seeking out your personal desires, nor discussing [forbidden] matters."
That being said, one is often permitted to give gifts if they are needed or will be used on Shabbat. This would include a siddur or Torah sefer of food that could be eaten oh Shabbat, this is only if it would be used on Shabbat itself, so in your case since it wouldn't be used on Shabbat it would be forbidden to mention that he wants to give it to you after Shabbos.