Scooters/Bikes on Shabbos, Travel Notes & Alerts
Community Halacha Notes
SCOOTERS/BIKES ON SHABBOS
אֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתַי תִּשְׁמֹרוּ וּמִקְדָּשִׁי תִּירָאוּ (ויקרא י״ט:ל׳)
Selected sources on bikes and scooters on Shabbos:
- אבן עזרא: Shabbos Kodesh is a time to strengthen our closeness to הקב״ה.
- Kaf HaChayim (403:8): Concerns include possible carrying and going beyond the תחום without realizing, since the bike/scooter won’t stand without continual motion; and if it breaks (e.g., the chain falls), one may come to fix it—similar to the concern with musical instruments.
- Shulchan Aruch (או״ח סי׳ שכ״ג): Categorizes this as עוֹבְדָה דְּחוֹל.
- R. Moshe Stern: Distinguishes between הִגִּיעַ לְחִינוּךְ or not; scooters/bikes should not be used once a child recognizes that it is Shabbos.
- R. Ovadia Yosef: While some cite Ben Ish Chai as allowing riding in limited cases, most אחרונים do not allow it (חזון עובדיה, שבת ח״ד, עמ׳ 40).
- R. Yaakov Kamenetsky, R. Moshe Feinstein (טִלְטוּלֵי שַׁבָּת), שמירת שבת כהלכתה (ט״ז:י״ח), R. Ovadia Yosef (חזון עובדיה ח״ד עמ׳ 40), ציץ אליעזר (ז:ל׳): Permit tricycles for children below the age of חִינוּךְ, since it is not a standard mode of transportation and thus not עוֹבְדָה דְּחוֹל; but they do not permit vehicles used for transportation for older children.
לְפִיכָךְ אָסוּר לָאָדָם לְהַלֵּךְ בְּחֲפָצָיו בְּשַׁבָּת, וַאֲפִלּוּ לְדַבֵּר בָּהֶם.
אִם־תָּשִׁיב מִשַּׁבָּת רַגְלֶךָ עֲשׂוֹת חֲפָצֶיךָ בְּיוֹם קָדְשִׁי, וְקָרָאתָ לַשַּׁבָּת עֹנֶג, לִקְדוֹשׁ ה׳ מְכֻבָּד; וְכִבַּדְתּוֹ מֵעֲשׂוֹת דְּרָכֶיךָ, מִמְּצֹא חֶפְצְךָ וְדַבֵּר דָּבָר. (ישעיהו נ״ח:י״ג)
From this pasuk in Yeshayahu we learn that our walking, speech, eating, and even clothing on Shabbos should reflect the kedushah of Shabbos Kodesh.
Miscellaneous
- Airline meals should be received sealed/unopened. Many airports—especially in the tri-state area—offer kosher options at concessions.
- Milk and eggs from small farms/roadside stands can be problematic: eggs may be fertilized and contain blood spots; milk may be חֲלֵב עַכּוּ״ם (non-supervised), which R. Moshe’s teshuva does not permit.
- Fruits from farms/stands often have significant insect concerns and require careful checking.
- When flying from Ben Gurion or elsewhere, do not assume a familiar brand is the same formula; a product may be certified in one country but not in another. Many items (e.g., Hershey products) at Ben Gurion are not kosher.
- If fishing with non-kosher bait, remove the head before cooking. If filleted on a deep-sea boat, ensure the knife is used only for that species, is clean, and that you receive the fish you provided.
GOING ON VACATION
Vacation can and should be a נוֹפֵשׁ—time to rejuvenate—ח״ו not the opposite.
In Sefer Devarim (14:18, פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה) the Torah singles out the pig as emblematic of non-kosher. The Yiddish idiom “Chazer Fissel” warns that some things may appear kosher while not meeting Torah standards. Whatever we do and wherever we go, we should ensure the setting meets the standards we’ve set for ourselves.
ALERTS
OU Kosher Alert — Hyson Puff Pastry Dough Sheets
- Brand: Hyson
- Product: Puff Pastry Dough Sheets
- Company: Lea Food Inc., Elk Grove Village, IL
- Issue: Unauthorized OU mark. The Orthodox Union does not certify this product. Corrective actions are being implemented.
OU Kosher Alert — Ice Cream Trucks
The Orthodox Union does not certify any ice cream trucks. Some display an unauthorized OU mark—for example, “Joe’s Ice Cream Truck” in the Teaneck area reportedly had a large unauthorized OU. No ice cream trucks are OU-certified.
OU Kosher Advisory — Ghost Hawk Brewing Company
The OU previously certified Ghost Hawk Brewing Company (Clifton, NJ) on canned beers only. The OU no longer certifies Ghost Hawk Brewing Company. Its retail establishment was never certified. An incorrect listing on the OU’s restaurant list has been corrected.
