Walking on Shabbat to View Cars for Sale
This question and answer were automatically translated using our trained AI and have not yet been reviewed by a qualified rabbi. Please treat this translation with caution.
go to original →
Question
I am interested in buying a car, and there is a main street in our city where car owners display cars for sale before Shabbat. Is it permissible for me to 'walk' there on Shabbat to see if there is a suitable car, and then come after Shabbat to write down the phone number? [I would appreciate an answer before Shabbat, as it concerns this evening]
Answer
Hello and Shabbat Shalom
The ruling is that if it is apparent that you are going for a purpose that is forbidden on Shabbat, such as buying a car, it is prohibited. If it is not apparent, it is permitted.
Therefore, it depends on the situation. If it is a street where people usually just stroll, it is permitted to walk there to look at cars. However, if people go there only to see cars, it is prohibited, as it is apparent that your intention is for a forbidden purpose.
Additionally, it should not be apparent from your actions that you are there to see cars, but rather it should appear that you are just strolling. For example, do not circle the car and examine it from all sides, but pass by casually.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim, Siman 306, סעיף 1