---
title: Siman 244 – Jobs that a gentile may do for a Jew
description: גChelek 3 1. You may employ a gentile to do a job on moveables and be paid a fixed amount upon completion. If he works on Shabbos to get ahead, it is his own concern because you don’t mind if…
url: "https://mishnaberurasummaries.com/docs/siman-244-jobs-that-a-gentile-may-do-for-a-jew/"
updated: "2026-09-29"
category: Preparing for Shabbos
---

# Siman 244 – Jobs that a gentile may do for a Jew

גChelek 3

1. You may employ a gentile to do a job on moveables and be paid a fixed amount upon completion. If he works on Shabbos to get ahead, it is his own concern because you don’t mind if it will be completed a day later. The fact that the work is being done for a Jew should be kept discreet in order to avoid maris ho’ayin. If some Jews know, it's okay. (ShA  – MB , , )
2. Chazal were more machmir when the job is attached to the ground. Everyone knows it's Jewish-owned property. Although he is being paid for the job, it entails maris ho’ayin and is therefore forbidden. People may think that the gentile is being paid for the day. For example, he is building you a wall or harvesting your field within the techoom of the city. This is forbidden even if you are the only Jew in the city. (ShA  – Rama  - MB )
3. Even if the gentile is merely preparing building materials on his own premises before the actual building, it is ossur on Shabbos. It is still called “melleches Yisroel” and it’s for something that will attach to the ground. (ShA  – MB )
4. The above prohibition applies only when the materials belong to the Jew. Some are lenient if people don’t know that they belong to the Jew. But if the wages include that the builder provides the materials, he can work on his own premises on Shabbos even if everyone knows that the work is for a Jew. (Rama  – MB )
5. It is forbidden for a goy to do public melachos that people know are being done for a Jew on Shabbos, even if it isn’t attached to the ground (e.g. ship making). There is maris ho’ayin just like building. (ShA )
6. In cases of maris ho’ayin you must protest against the gentile worker and get him to stop even if you originally stipulated with him not to work on Shabbos. (MB , )
7. If you hired a gentile scribe or weaver for a whole year to work on jobs that you will need - can he work for you on Shabbos? Not if you calculate the days he takes off. And not if he is working on your premises. Otherwise, there is still an argument if the scribe can work for you on Shabbos. The Elya Rabba rules leniently, but it is better to fulfill the strict opinion. (ShA -BeH”v’yaish”)
8. Let’s say you’ve hired a gentile maid for an extended period of time to perform any variety of tasks. She may not do any melacha for **you** on Shabbos even without your request and even on her own premises. To perform melacha for **herself** on your premises is allowed when it is evident that it is for herself (e.g. sewing her blouse). (MB )

## Key

**ShA**
 : Shulchan Aruch

**MB**
 : Mishna Berura

**ShaH**
 : Shaar Hatsiun

**ShaT**
 : Shaaray Teshuva

**BeH**
 : Beur Halacha

**BaH**
 : Baer Haytayv

  [← PreviousSiman 243Renting real estate to gentiles over Shabbos](https://mishnaberurasummaries.com/docs/siman-243-renting-real-estate-to-gentiles-over-shabbos/)[Next →Siman 245Partnership with a gentile](https://mishnaberurasummaries.com/docs/siman-245/)

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