4556 —דחיפות פסק הלכה על נסיעה באניות וחשיבות דיווח אמת

B"H, 23rd of Tammuz, 5716.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z tznm"s Moharshi Zevin

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from Motzaei Shabbat and the previous one. Regarding your surprise that I sent telegrams, etc., it is truly puzzling, since you surely already know that even from Mr. Shragai in Paris a similar urgent question was received by the Chief Rabbinate—at least that is what was reported here. The reason for the urgency is explained in my attached letter to the Chief Rabbis, which is enclosed. If it is not too much trouble for you, please read the copy with appropriate attention, and surely there will be an opportunity to speak with the Chief Rabbis.

Regarding the reasoning mentioned in your letter—on the contrary, out of respect I have restrained myself even more in words and certainly in expressions, knowing (and to my sorrow it is also publicly known) that the mashgiach travels as their representative; there is no more obvious permission than this. This is a mistake shared by many sincere Jews here, and I have no words to explain it—while in my opinion it is beyond doubt that this is a clear prohibition. Moreover, regarding the actual question—as I wrote in my letter to those mentioned above—the question applies to the ship owners themselves and constitutes a Torah-level prohibition. It is difficult to elaborate further on such a distressing matter.

As for your question about what benefit there would be from prohibiting this—know that even for one Jewish soul it would be worthwhile; all the more so since I am certain that hundreds or thousands of Jews will refrain from this matter if there will be a clear halachic ruling from the Chief Rabbinate as required. Furthermore, representatives of "Zim" here publicly stated that sailing ships in such a manner (i.e., traveling also on Shabbat) seemed to them entirely permissible because it happens every week and no one protested; had they known that the Chief Rabbinate forbids it, they would have tried to arrange matters differently.

Additionally, regarding the ruling "better they be unintentional sinners," this limitation applies only to rabbinic matters when no inquiry has been made—not as in our case which involves Torah prohibitions. Especially if, as I wrote in my letter, at least some ships will be arranged more appropriately—in which case it is obvious that this effort is worthwhile.

Regarding your comment that those involved should not accept authority—I was careful with my telegram's wording as much as possible so it could not be interpreted as an assertion of authority; I emphasized only the technical aspect since they are surely not experts and have not dealt with this before. When experts are invited—as you wrote—I fear it will be like rumor-mongering here. It resembles how testimony was collected about chassidim dancing on Tisha B'Av mixed together—except they omitted mentioning that it was Tisha B'Av falling on Shabbat and at a baby girl's birth celebration where they danced with her while she was just days old and placed on a tray.

The same applies here: people claim there is certification from a mechanic that everything operates automatically etc., as I quoted in my letter—and it's unbelievable but true—even here political parties make noise about this issue; especially those who claim religious allegiance (even though party affiliation should have nothing to do with halachic rulings in Israel). One party leader himself acts as halachic authority according to reports about his rulings—he has neither knowledge of Shulchan Aruch nor mechanics—but arrogance toward Heaven works for him and all the more so toward people and countries abroad.

You wrote that someone told you ship movement on Shabbat cannot be stopped etc., claiming it's impossible to halt a ship at sea—this shows shocking ignorance of mechanics; anyone hearing this would laugh.

You write nothing will come of all this—we have already learned (from bitter experience) regarding El Al airplanes leaving here: at least one leaves during weekdays while another does not. It remains unclear why we cannot hope for similar arrangements concerning ships.

Thank you very much for what you wrote about complaints regarding sending telegrams; surely you will continue acting similarly in future cases. As I have written to several others: it's better to receive information without embellishment than distorted news—even if well-intentioned—especially since most information eventually arrives exaggerated anyway.

The truth is that at first I did not intend to write to the Chief Rabbis about this matter because either way: if they wish to rule after proper investigation—they cannot avoid prohibiting something clearly forbidden; if not interested then my letter would serve no purpose—and might even appear as encroaching upon local rabbinic authority. But your lines on this subject prompted me to write.

Surely you will continue updating me privately about developments—thank you in advance. Special thanks for continuing negotiations with our friend regarding student travel; enclosed is a copy of my letter to him. The students have already set out safely according to plan—they should arrive in Eretz HaKodesh at the beginning of Menachem Av; may it be G‑d's will that their mission succeeds especially in its main point: spreading the wellsprings outward.

Of course their journey was arranged so wherever possible they travel specifically by El Al—as our Sages said regarding "buying from your fellow." Awaiting good news with details and signing with blessing,

M. Schneersohn

P.S.: I received information about an "incident," as described, during Yud-Beis Tammuz celebrations in Jerusalem—the Holy City. As above—I do not know if it was distorted or exaggerated; surely when possible you will write me also about this matter.

I am concerned about granting "permission" under condition of appointing a "Shabbos goy" aboard ship; may it be G‑d's will not to fall for such an absurd idea—that one or two people could operate all machinery aboard ship for over twenty-four hours! I did not want even to mention this possibility in my letter to Rabbi... because giving room or suspicion for such temptation could be seen as disrespectful toward them.

I did not specify (in telegrams?) why there is no danger stopping ships at sea nor did I detail which Torah-level labors are involved operating modern ships (most were irrelevant on ancient sailing vessels)—for two reasons: firstly because it's so obvious; anyone reading Sefer Shevitat HaYam—even though he tried hard collecting leniencies from every side—will see he found no basis for danger concerns via these means. Secondly because these facts are known by every mechanic—even beginners (even land-based machines operate similarly except steering mechanism). This too is explained—at least partially—in Sefer Shevitat HaYam.

By the way: see how great blindness can result from bribery or party interests—they demand proof it's impossible for ships to run automatically over twenty-four hours even though everyone knows ships are steered by rudder whose direction changes hour by hour—it cannot remain unchanged all day relying on automation set hours earlier!

Summary

The Rebbe urges clarity and urgency from rabbinic authorities regarding halachic issues affecting public observance while stressing honest reporting over convenient distortions or technical misunderstandings. Even small actions can impact many Jews' observance when guided by truth.