Hinting to a Non-Jew to Turn Off the Light on Shabbat
Question
Regarding the law of instructing a non-Jew
If one wants the non-Jew to turn off the light or turn it on, and says to the non-Jew, “Light,” is this considered an instruction, a hint phrased as a command, or a hint in the form of a statement of fact?
The question is for prisoners who are in prison, where there is a concern that if the non-Jew does not turn off the light at night, a Jew who does not observe Torah and mitzvot will turn it off.
If so, would there be a difference between turning the light on and turning it off in a situation of distress? However, turning the light on is usually done by the non-Jewish guard so that he can count those present.
If one wants the non-Jew to turn off the light or turn it on, and says to the non-Jew, “Light,” is this considered an instruction, a hint phrased as a command, or a hint in the form of a statement of fact?
The question is for prisoners who are in prison, where there is a concern that if the non-Jew does not turn off the light at night, a Jew who does not observe Torah and mitzvot will turn it off.
If so, would there be a difference between turning the light on and turning it off in a situation of distress? However, turning the light on is usually done by the non-Jewish guard so that he can count those present.
Answer
Shalom u’vrachah
This is neither an instruction nor a hint in the form of a command, but rather a hint in the form of a statement of fact.
One may also say, “The light remained on.”
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