Question: Is it recommended to wear white clothing on Shabbat?
Answer: There is certainly a basis for wearing white clothing on Shabbat. This is indeed the custom of some Mekubalim who follow the opinion of the Ari z”l. Nevertheless, the Ba’er Hetev writes that it is forbidden to wear white garments in places where this is not the custom, for doing so appears like arrogance in behaving in a manner reserved for the extra pious. Many Poskim, among them Maran zt”l in Chazon Ovadia Vol. 1, p. 26, rule likewise. This is especially true if the rabbi of the synagogue or community does not wear white clothing on Shabbat. We have seen many great righteous and pious people, such as Hagaon Ha’Mekubal Harav Menashe Shua Shlit”a, who do not wear white garments on Shabbat for such behavior belongs to the great luminaries of generations gone by. We still have a long way to go in Torah and virtuous deeds before we focus on such nuances.
Question: Is it permissible to push a stroller on Shabbat (in places where carrying on Shabbat is permissible) when the wheels are inflated like a bicycle’s wheels?
Answer: The main reason riding a bicycle is forbidden on Shabbat is because this seems demeaning to the sanctity of Shabbat and is not the proper method of getting around on Shabbat, for even taking overly wide steps is forbidden. However, this does not apply to a stroller and thus, even if its wheels are inflated like a bicycle’s, it is permissible for use on Shabbat.
Question: Water that drips from an air conditioner is Muktzeh on Shabbat. What should we do if this water is dripping into a bucket and must be emptied over Shabbat so that it does not overflow?
Answer: One should put another beverage (such as Coke) into the bucket before placing it under the leaking air conditioner so that every drop of water that drips into the bucket will be nullified by the other non-Muktzeh beverage already inside. (One should make sure to pour a significant enough amount of the beverage into the bucket so that the water dripping in does not nullify it.) It will then be permissible to move this bucket on Shabbat (see Chazon Ovadia, Shabbat, Vol. 3, p. 144).
