The Modern Autopen
This article explores the fascinating connection between the modern presidential autopen and an ancient Talmudic discussion in Menachos 30a regarding the final eight verses of the Torah. The Gemara debates whether Moshe Rabbeinu or Yehoshua wrote the concluding pesukim describing Moshe’s death, raising profound halachic questions about writing on Shabbos. Tosfos questions how Moshe could have written the Torah on Shabbos if he passed away that day, while the Shelah HaKadosh proposes that Moshe used a supernatural method known as hashbuas kulmus — effectively an “ancient autopen.” The article further analyzes whether performing melacha through supernatural means constitutes a Shabbos violation, drawing on rulings from the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 328) and the Mishnah Berurah. The discussion extends to modern technology, including voice-activated devices and self-driving cars on Shabbos, examining whether speech-activated actions are considered biblical melacha. By connecting Torah sources, halacha, and contemporary innovation, the piece demonstrates how ancient Jewish law continues to address today’s technological realities.