Can a Non-Jew do it on Shabbos?
It is absolutely forbidden to ask a goy to turn on the lights in one’s home on Shabbos. The Shulchon Oruch writes that it is forbidden to ask a goy to light a fire or a candle even for people who are sitting in the dark during Seudas Shabbos, the meal of Shabbos, which would be for the purpose of a Mitzvah. Of course, when there are children or danger involved that is different, but otherwise, it is an absolute issur to ask a goy to violate a Meclocho d’Oiraysa, something which is forbidden on Shabbos min HaTorah, such as lighting a fire or a candle, or turning on a light. The Alter Rebbe says not to stop someone who is asking a goy to do a Melocho on Shabbos, but the only reason they should not be stopped is that many people will not listen anyway. They think that asking a goy to perform a Melocho in roundabout language is permissible. Therefore, one should not stop them because they will not listen in any case.
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