Question about Secular Matters on Shabbat
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Question
Hello, If a person is asked a secular question on Shabbat (such as, on which days do you go to the office), 1. Is answering such a question considered speaking about secular matters on Shabbat? 2. If one answers: "I will answer you, God willing, after Shabbat" - is this considered speaking about secular matters on Shabbat? 3. What is the appropriate response?
Answer
Hello and blessings,
1. If it is a question of curiosity without significance, it is permissible to answer it on Shabbat. However, if the question pertains to future work, it is forbidden. For example, when the questioner intends to travel with you to work on weekdays or you are to bring something for him by car.
2. It is permissible to say: "I will answer you tomorrow, or on another day," and there is no prohibition in this.
3. When there is a problem answering, as mentioned above, one can say: "I walk on these and those days," as there is no issue with walking, only with traveling.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 306 and 307.