Taking measurements

Source: Halachipedia: Taking measurements

Link: https://halachipedia.com/index.php?title=Taking_measurements

Categories: Shabbat

Exported: 2025-12-30

1. It’s forbidden to measure precisely on Shabbat as it’s considered Uvda DeChol, a weekday activity.¹
2. It’s permissible to measure for the purposes of a mitzvah such as measuring Bitul BeShishim, 40 Seah for a Mikveh, or the temperature of someone sick.²

References

¹: Mishna Shabbat (157a) writes that measuring for a mitzvah is permitted implying that there’s a prohibition of measuring on Shabbat if not for the purpose of a mitzvah. This is also the opinion of Tur and S”A 306:7 and Mishna Brurah 306:34.

²: Shulchan Aruch O.C. 306:7, Mishna Brurah 306:35