Daily Halacha – Important Points for Travelers, 22 Sivan 5777

Is it permissible to refuel at a gas station that definitely operates on Shabbat?

There is no prohibition against filling up with gas or purchasing sealed products from a place that opens on Shabbat. As a good practice, if one wants to be stringent and strengthen the hands of Shabbat observers by purchasing from places closed on Shabbat, blessings will come upon them.

If staying at a hotel where a non-Jewish chef cooks but a Jew lights the fire for him, is it permissible to eat there?

In many hospitality venues without stringent kosher certification, they are lenient about using non-Jewish chefs and base their position on the Rama's ruling. However, one should know that according to the Shulchan Aruch, this is not permitted unless the Jew was involved in the cooking process or in cases of great necessity [Yalkut Yosef Siman 113].

Ach Tov VaChesed – Daily Halacha