“Question: Is there any heter to read biographies and history books on Shabbos?
Discussion: The Shulchan Aruch (Siman 307 se’if 17) clearly rules that on Shabbos one should not learn anything other than divrei Torah. If one is able, it is obviously the most ideal only to learn divrei Torah on Shabbos, and not to peruse any other reading material.
However, not every individual is capable of engaging only in divrei Torah the entire Shabbos, so it is important to know what reading material is permitted, and which is forbidden:
• Science books – as mentioned above, the Shulchan Aruch (Siman 307 se’if 17) writes that it is forbidden to study on Shabbos anything other than Torah, and even sciences are prohibited to study. The Shulchan Aruch (ibid) then quotes an opinion that permits studying sciences on Shabbos, and the Mishna Berura (ibid s.k. 65) says that the minhag is to be lenient and read books or articles pertaining to sciences.
(The Mishna Berura adds that it is fitting for a pious individual to refrain from this, because several of the Rishonim prohibit reading books about sciences on Shabbos.)
• History books – the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim Siman 307 se’if 16) writes that it is forbidden to read “books about wars” on Shabbos, and writes that it is even forbidden during the week because of the prohibition of moshav leitzim. It appears that “books about wars” refers to history books.
The Mishna Berura (s.k. 58) mentions several books (“Yosefun, Sefer Yichusin, Divrei Hayomim, Shevet Yehuda”) that are in fact permitted to read, because “from these books one can learn ethics and awe [of Hashem]”. The Mishna Berura also writes that these books can be read, even if they are written in foreign languages [i.e. not in loshon hakodesh]. It appears that any similar reading material, that will be beneficial for one’s spiritual growth, are also permitted to read on Shabbos. Similarly, to read biographies of great personalities where one can learn many spiritual lessons from the lives of these great people, would likewise be permitted.
Rav Yaakov Emden (in his sefer Mor u’Ketziah Siman 307) understands that the issue of history books is because of bittul torah; consequently the only prohibition is to study such books regularly; however an occasional reading is permitted [because this is not considered bittul torah]. Additionally, it is permitted to read these books at times when one wouldn’t be learning anyway.
Rav Yaakov Emden (ibid) also differentiates between different types of history books, and posits that regarding those that discuss Jewish history “”there is a mitzvah incumbent upon every Jew to be well versed in these, in order to remember Hashem’s ongoing kindness to His people””.
• One other interesting detail we find in the context of reading is using a telescope on Shabbos: The Shulchan Aruch (ibid se’if 17) writes that according to the opinion that allows reading science books on Shabbos it is also permitted to gaze through a telescope. (It is implied that according to the opinion that prohibits reading history books, using a telescope is similarly forbidden, although one is not actually “reading” in the literal sense.)
Summary: The Shulchan Aruch (Siman 307 se’if 17) clearly rules that on Shabbos one should not learn anything other than divrei Torah. If one is able, it is obviously the most ideal only to learn divrei Torah on Shabbos, and not to peruse any other reading material. Regarding other reading material; there are conflicting opinions about reading science books, and the Mishna Berura says that the minhag is to be lenient. The Shulchan Aruch prohibits reading history books; however, the Mishna Berura is lenient regarding several history books that he deems to be spiritually beneficial to the reader. It would appear that biographies of great personalities are likewise permitted.
Interestingly, Rav Yaakov Emden understands that the only issue (with history books) is bittul Torah; consequently there is no additional Shabbos prohibition on these books, and if reading these books does not constitute bittul Torah, there is no prohibition to read them.
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