lakewood bus
Question
kvod harav, this past friday saw many people getting stuck in traffic do to weather conditions on highways etc. right before the shaabos. I heard about 3 buses going from NY to lakewood that all got stuck on the garden state parkway by the time of shaabos. supposedly they recieved a "psak" that they may continue all the way to lakewood with a non-jewish driver driving them, even if this means ariving well after shaabos has started.they actually arrived at about 8:30 friday night.everyone got off the bus and continued home to enjoy a unforgettable shaabos(with all their belongings on the bus). When the rabbis were questioned about their "psak" they said that had only permitted the buses to con. with a non jewish driver untill 40 min. after sunset,and spend shaabos on the highway. 1. my question is how the rav would rule under the circumstances. 2.even if we permit the people to con. untill lakewood doesn't the rule of TCHUM say that even when disembarking the bus they can't walk more than four "amos" ? please explain the whole deal. as always thanks for your amazing work.
Answer
Answered by Aaron AbadiI spoke to my father this morning about this question. He said as follows; 1. The people should continue to Lakewood with a non-jewish bus driver till 25 minutes after sunset. Then at that point walk home as long as its in the Tchum or walk to a hotel. Ideally, if possible a person should pull over earlier and find a Frum community on the way and go there for Shabbos. There are a few towns along the way. 2. The rule of Tchum would not start till 25 minutes after sunset. At which point they wouldn't be on the bus anyway. So, they would begin their Tchum where they are at that time. 3. If a person is safe where he is or has a safe place to go (ie. hotel, rest area) nearby he can't go anywhere once it is 25 minutes after sunset. If he is in a dangerous place he can go with the non-jew to the closest safe place. Or else he needs to be out of the car by 25 minutes. The idea being that a non-jew cannot do anything for a Jew, unless it is a danger. CYA If they were capable of going 10 miles in another direction to get to a hotel, I'm sure they would be required to do that. But the concern is, what would they eat all Shabbat? They wouldn't touch the food from the hotel. So they went on to Lakewood. Classic example of Kol Hamosif Gorea, he who adds actually subtracts. My guess is that they asked the question to a former student of our father, who just Paskened against his Rebbi. Nothing new! AA