---
title: Siman 251 – Stopping to work on Friday
description: גChelek 3 When must you stop working on Friday? 1. If you are a professional, you should stop working no later than Mincha Ketana (9 ½ hours into the day). Any money you make after that, you will lose somewhere…
url: "https://mishnaberurasummaries.com/docs/siman-251-stopping-to-work-on-friday/"
updated: "2025-12-31"
category: Preparing for Shabbos
---

# Siman 251 – Stopping to work on Friday

גChelek 3

When must you stop working on Friday?

1. If you are a professional, you should stop working no later than Mincha Ketana (9 ½ hours into the day). Any money you make after that, you will lose somewhere else. (ShA  – MB , )

1. If you have a business, you should stop some time before candle lighting. (MB )

1. If you are an employed day-worker, you must work until close to shkia. You should go home with enough time to prepare water, roast a little fish, and light candles before shkia. If the custom is to stop work earlier, you can stop earlier. (MB )

1. A professional is allowed to do an irregular job once-off, and be paid for it, even after Mincha Ketana. (Rama  – MB )

1. Repairing clothes for Shabbos is allowed all day. You can even charge for it if you need the money for Oneg Shabbos. (ShA  – MB )

1. Haircuts for Jews are allowed all day. (Rama  – MB ) The Gr”a didn’t allow it after Mincha Ketana. (BeH “umistaprim”)

1. A person should minimize his Torah study on Friday so he will have to prepare for Shabbos. Based on this, some places have a custom not to have an official “yeshiva” on Friday. (Rama  – MB )

1. If you regularly learn a fixed amount (e.g. the sidra with Rashi), do not cancel the session just because it’s Friday. The same applies to learning Torah with many people. (MB )

1. If you have already prepared on Thursday or your servant is preparing Shabbos for you, you can learn normally. Just be sure to do something yourself lichvod Shabbos. (MB )

## Key

**ShA**
 : Shulchan Aruch

**MB**
 : Mishna Berura

**ShaH**
 : Shaar Hatsiun

**ShaT**
 : Shaaray Teshuva

**BeH**
 : Beur Halacha

**BaH**
 : Baer Haytayv

  [← PreviousSiman 250Preparing Shabbos meals](https://mishnaberurasummaries.com/docs/siman-250-preparing-shabbos-meals/)[Next →Siman 252Melachos that extend into Shabbos](https://mishnaberurasummaries.com/docs/siman-252-melachos-that-extend-into-shabbos/)

**Want this on paper?** Print any simanim you choose as one clean document.