[Avodah] Sewing on Motzai Shabbat - source (Danny Schoemann)

[Rabbi Ari Enkin]

>From my upcoming sefer.......
 
...and still a few copies left of my first sefer "Dalet Amot"!
 
Ari Enkin
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There is some discussion in halachic literature of a custom for women not to perform certain labors on Motzaei Shabbat, such as sewing and knitting.[1] The origin of this custom is related to the legend that when Mashiach comes there will no longer be a need to sew clothes. As there is an increased potential for Mashiach to arrive on a Motzaei Shabbat, the custom of refraining from sewing on Motzaei Shabbat evolved accordingly. Other authorities argue there is no such custom for women not to do certian forms of work on motzaei Shabbat, at least not one which is based in any classical sources, and women are free to dismiss the custom should they so desire.[2]
 
Closely related to the custom of not sewing on motzaei Shabbat is the tradition that when the Jewish people left Egypt they brought no sewing or clothing manufacturing utensils with them.[3] Instead, the clothes they were wearing upon their departure from Egypt miraculously remianed fresh and clean and even grew with them as their clothing sizes changed.[4] Indeed, included in this Divine tailoring service was deodorant and anti-perspirant for all the hot days in the desert. As such, in a gesture of longing and awaiting future days, the ladies of certain communities accepted upon themselves to refrain from sewing and similar activities at the conclusion of Shabbat. Indeed, Motzaei Shabbat is a popular time for a number of rituals, prayers, and spiritual practices related to the coming of Mashiach.
 
 
 




[1] Magen Avraham O.C. 299

[2] Rivevot Ephraim 2:107

[3] Shir Hashirim Rabba 4

[4] Ibn Ezra; Devarim 8 Rabbi Ari Enkin Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel Cell: 011 972 52 579 1773 / Res: 011 972 2 992 0241
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