Asking a Non-Jew to Turn on the Light at the Start of Shabbat
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Question
I wanted to check if we acted according to Halacha: by mistake, we didn't turn on the light in the children's room. We can manage without it, but it definitely makes things difficult. Immediately at the start of Shabbat, we called a non-Jew to turn on the light. We told him before the stars came out, but he arrived after the stars came out and turned on the light.
Answer
Hello, it is permitted to tell a non-Jew to turn on the light during twilight, which is between sunset and the appearance of the stars on Shabbat. However, it is forbidden to tell him if he will do it after the stars have appeared, even if you told him before the stars appeared. However, before the stars appear, it is permitted because light in the room is also considered a delight of Shabbat, even if you can manage without it, and it is considered a Shabbat need for which it is permitted to ask a non-Jew during twilight.
Source
Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim, Siman 372, Paragraph 1) Mishnah Berurah (Paragraph 7; Shaar HaTziyun, Paragraph 8).
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