[Avodah] Printing email to read on Shabbos

[Shoshana L. Boublil]

 From: Micha Berger <micha at aishdas.org>
> Subject: [Avodah] Printing email to read on Shabbos

> Is one permitted to read discussion group email on Shabbos? Or, is it a
> problem of hakhanah, since one will plan replies to be typed after
> Shabbos?
>
> And would it make a difference if the group is Avodah or Areivim?

I believe that this issue is a question of Kavanah.

If the only purpose of the download is to do research and post responses, 
that raises some doubt, but I'm still not sure it would be Assur, but a 
Ba'al Nefesh Yirchak... but when Limud Torah is involved, especially with a 
Torah based group like Avodah, I doubt that there is a problem.

For example, when a topic I find interesting has come up, I may print out 
several vol. of Avodah so that I have all the material.  This is then part 
of our Shabbat discussion on this topic.

While it's true that we probably would write something based on the 
discussion, on Motza'ei Shabbat, the intention is to study Torah. Otherwise 
the same question can be raised for all teachers, rabbis and people who 
study Torah on Shabbat, and then write books, essays or lesson plans based 
on this limud.

I don't recall a passage in a book saying: "I learned this wonderful Dvar 
Torah on Shabbat, but I can't write it down now b/c of safek Hachana...".

Shoshana L. Boublil