Asking Non-Jew To Do Melacha D'Rabanan

You may directly instruct or ask a non-Jew to do melacha d'rabanan for you on Shabbat, but only:
  • To prevent a large financial loss.
    Note A large loss is subjective to the individual's actual wealth and also to that person's perception of what is a large loss. Consult a rabbi.
  • For Shabbat needs.
    Example You may ask a non-Jew to unlock an electric hotel door or trigger an entrance door on Shabbat, since this is for a Shabbat need and the action is not prohibited d'oraita.
    Situation A new guest arrives and you need the space on the table occupied by your Shabbat candlesticks.
    What To Do You may not move the candlesticks, but you may ask a non-Jew to do so.
    Situation You left a non-muktza item that you now need for Shabbat on a tree branch (or a child left one in a tree house!).
    What To Do You may not climb the tree to retrieve the item, but you may ask a non-Jew to retrieve it. Example You may ask a non-Jew to turn on air conditioning.
    ExampleYou may ask a non-Jew (directly, no need to hint) to turn off a light if it interferes with someone's sleeping.
    • To allow doing a mitzva.
    • For other pressing (and certainly for life-threatening) needs, such as health, even if the person not sick.
    Note All of these are d'rabanan cases!