Q. Someone bought a nice swing for the young kids in his family that they much desired. It was delivered on Erev Shabbos a few hours before the shekia (sunset), Since the children so much wanted to have it assembled and use it on Shabbos, and were ready to cry if not, the father did assemble it with time left, as they were already prepared for Shabbos before. Did he do something wrong? Should he now reassemble it again?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 251: 1) maintains that if one performs a melocho close to Shabbos (from Mincha Ketana or two and a half hours onward), he will not see a ‘siman brocho’ or a blessing and good fortune from the work done. Mishna Berura (5) quotes P’ri Megadim that it is also an actual prohibition.
However, Poskim (ibid) mention that if the work is done for the honor and pleasure of Shabbos, it is permitted when one is able to finish it in time. They also permit when it is only an occasional and temporary work. (Rema ibid.).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is to be lenient.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a