<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" align="left"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">In the very cold weather, it is permitted to have a non-Jew light a fire on Shabbos for warmth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>(Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 276:5) However, today, one usually uses a time switch for this purpose, but according to a minority opinion, one should not use a time switch on Shabbos, (except possibly for lights). What is preferable in this particular case for a person who follows the opinion of not using a time switch &ndash; to have a non-Jew to light the fire or use a time switch?</span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">There is something which is permitted on Shabbos and Yom Tov, but is forbidden on Chol Hamoed, namely having a non-Jewish contractor build a house for a Jew outside the techum. For a number of reasons, including &ldquo;maris ayin&rdquo; one may not employ non-Jewish workers to do work for a Jew on Shabbos, Yom-Tov and Chol Hamoed. Since one may not go outside the techum on Shabbos and Yom Tov, the question of &ldquo;maris ayin&rdquo; when a non-Jewish contractor builds a house for a Jew on Shabbos and Yom Tov outside the techum does not apply. However, since on Chol Hamoed, one may leave the techum, a Jew may not employ a non-Jewish contractor to build a house outside the techum on Chol Hamoed. (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 543:2, Mishnah Berurah 543:4)</span></span></span></p>