גChelek 3
When must you stop working on Friday?
- 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 , )
- If you have a business, you should stop some time before candle lighting. (MB )
- 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 )
- A professional is allowed to do an irregular job once-off, and be paid for it, even after Mincha Ketana. (Rama – MB )
- Repairing clothes for Shabbos is allowed all day. You can even charge for it if you need the money for Oneg Shabbos. (ShA – MB )
- Haircuts for Jews are allowed all day. (Rama – MB ) The Gr”a didn’t allow it after Mincha Ketana. (BeH “umistaprim”)
- 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 )
- 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 )
- 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 )