Reply To: A Shabbos Desecrator Saying Vayechulu With the Congregation

I ended up speaking with someone about this situation. The summary outcome of our conversation was as follows:

1. A M’challel Shabbos is disqualified from giving testimony.

2. Someone who violates the Shabbos as outlined in SA, OC is a full-fledged Shabbos desecrator.

3. Someone disqualified from giving testimony should not join with the congregation.

4. In addition, a M’challel Shabbos causes any (non-M’vushal) wine he touches to become forbidden. As a result, I am not allowed to drink (non-M’vushal) wine, since the very act of picking it up causes it to become forbidden.

5. Likewise, anything a M’challel Shabbos cooks lacks Bishul Yisroel (unless a kosher Jew lights the fire, etc.). As a result, I am forbidden to eat anything that I cook since it lacks bishul yisroel.

All of this applies as long as I am in a state of depression on Shabbos. (Whether I’m in a state of depression the rest of the week is totally irrelevant to the present discussion.)

As far as Vay’chulu is concerned, I was presented with an easy solution — simply extend my Shmoneh Esrei so that I’m still davening when the congregation says VaY’chulu.

The Wolf