4583 —בעיות הלכתיות של הפעלת מכונות אניה בשבת

B"H, 2 Menachem-Av, 5716.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to the letter with the attached copy of the Zim letter, which describes only part of the machinery operations and does not mention several fundamental matters. I will mention some: a) The steering cannot possibly operate automatically for a full day; its operation affects steam pressure and causes changes in the supply of oil, fuel, and air—that is, it ignites and extinguishes. b) Sending and receiving telegrams—which are essential for determining the ship's course and direction. c) The atomizers (called atomizer) are replaced several times a day and are cleaned on the same day in a manner forbidden on Shabbos and require ignition afterward. d) Similarly regarding filters called oil strainer in English. e) Adjusting the supply of oil, fuel, and air cannot be automatic for over a full day; these changes also ignite and extinguish. f) The operation of the machinery etc.—is written according to international laws that the company cannot change—immediately in the ship's logs. g) There are several small auxiliary machines on every ship, though they differ from ship to ship, they are not operated automatically. h) Transferring instructions from one department to another is partly prohibited (telephone, ringing bells, etc.). i) In reality—it is impossible that over a full day there will not be repairs, changes, or adjustments to the machines that cannot be postponed and require human labor. j) Clear proof of all this—and about other Torah-prohibited labors done on Shabbos—can be found in records in logs kept on ships during Shabbos days; these too are written immediately according to international laws.

I have written at length, and a second letter is coming.

With honor and blessing,
Menachem Schneersohn

Addition after some time: According to international law—the crew operating the machines changes every four hours; the incoming shift checks if the machines are working properly by manually moving levers etc., which increases or decreases fuel, oil, air supply etc.—that is, igniting and extinguishing. Also, several details are recorded in a special logbook by the outgoing shift upon their departure.

* This requires extinguishing—in the relevant part of the furnace—before replacement.

Summary

The Rebbe outlines specific halachic violations involved in operating ship machinery on Shabbos—including actions like igniting/extinguishing fire or adjusting equipment—that automation cannot fully prevent due to technical requirements and international regulations.