Question:
This year Rosh Hashanah is a 3-day holiday – Thursday
and Friday are RH and then Shabbat. Is
permissible to vacation in Washington DC on Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat where one
can attend an Orthodox Shul and then visit the free museums and national
monuments?
Answer: In general, it is forbidden to visit a museum on
Shabbat in Israel – whether it is free or one for which you can purchase a
ticket before Shabbat (like the Israel Museum) because of the Chilul Shabbat
for Jews involved. In this case, however, outside of Eretz Yisrael, it is
theoretically permissible to visit a museum since the majority of visitors are
non-Jews, and there is no extra effort for the Jews. However, there is a
problem of Uvdin De-Chol. While this is
a difficult concept to define, it basically means being involved in weekday
activities, the performance of which impinges on the holiness of Shabbat.
Therefore, one should refrain from doing so, and this is indeed the opinion of
the Rabbis of America.
And this is the rule for a regular Shabbat. It is certainly
forbidden all the more so on Rosh Hashanah which is a serious day, a day of
Teshuvah, a day of self-reflection and not a day for entertainment and
vacation.
