Repairing Clothing on Erev Shabbos

Hi,

I do sewing and alterations for people, and sometimes a customer brings me something on Friday that she needs for Shabbos. I heard that one should not do this kind of work on Erev Shabbos. Am I allowed to finish it for her close to Shabbos if she tells me that she needs it for Shabbos? 

Thank you for your question.

The rule is that every melachah forbidden on Shabbos is also forbidden on Erev Shabbos from the time of Minchah Ketanah onwards. Some are stringent even from chatzos, but in practice, one may be lenient and do melachah until Minchah Ketanah.

The Shulcha Aruch (Orach Chaim, Hilchos Shabbos, 251:1) even writes that one who performs melachah from this time onwards will not see a siman brachah, a blessing from that work.

This a quote from the Shulchan Aruch:

העושה מלאכה בע"ש מן המנחה ולמעלה אינו רואה סימן ברכה.
 
 

The Mishnah Berurah adds that even if one earns money from this work, he will lose money elsewhere.

Thereforebased on this one should not carry out home renovations, such as painting or assembling furniture, repair electrical appliances, or take driving lessons after Minchah Ketanah.

However, there are certain instances in which work is permitted even after Minchah Ketanah until the start of Shabbos, as brought in the Shulchan Aruch, ibid., se’if 2:

לתקן בגדיו וכליו לצורך שבת, מותר כל היום.
 
 

Repairing one’s clothing and utensils for Shabbos is permitted throughout the day.

HaGaon HaRav Fried Shelitah, in Azamra Lishmecha, issue 340, explains in detail which types of melachos are permitted based on this. One such case relates to your question about repairing clothing on Erev Shabbos.

Work done for Shabbos is permitted even if it requires professional skill or involves complex work, such as sewing clothing or repairing shoes for Shabbos.

However, when doing work for others (who need it to be done for Shabbos), sometimes one may charge for it, while in other cases it may be done only free of charge. The difference is as follows:

If it is not obvious that the work is being done specifically for Shabbos, one may do it only free of charge. For example, electrical work, carpentry, and shoe repairs. For instance, if it is not apparent that the shoes being repaired are specifically Shabbos shoes, one may still repair them because they are needed for Shabbos. However, since it is not obvious that these are Shabbos shoes, one may not accept payment for it.

If it is obvious that the work is being done for Shabbos, one may do it even for payment, like washing the floors, washing dishes, and repairing or altering Shabbos clothing, such as lengthening or shortening a garment or mending a tear. (With regard to giving a haircut, this is discussed at length in Azamra Lishmecha, issue 345.) These are permitted even for payment, since it is obvious that they are being done in preparation for Shabbos.

It is important to note that “Meleches Arai” occasional work is permitted even if it requires professional skill, even if it is not for Shabbos, and even if it is done for payment.

What is considered occasional work? This means work that takes only a short amount of time and is done by someone who does not regularly engage in this type of work.

Therefore, one may do a melachah that takes a short amount of time, up to half an hour, such as sewing on a button, even if it is not for Shabbos. This also includes minor repairs around the house, such as drilling to hang shelves or pictures, changing light bulbs, or assembling a piece of furniture that is not complicated to put together. Other examples include watering plants, filling in forms, signing agreements to buy or rent a flat, or writing a letter to one’s wife, chosson, or kallah.

As mentioned, this applies when the work is done by someone who does not regularly engage in that type of work.

Wishing you well.

Azamroh Lishmecho Issue #344

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 251:1–2

Mishnah Berurah 251:2