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Electricity on Shabbat: Difference between revisions
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# It is forbidden to use a regular elevator on [[Shabbat]]. Some allow using a '[[Shabbat]] elevator' which stops at every floor, while others forbid, and some say one may go up in the [[Shabbat]] elevator but not down. It is forbidden to touch the elevator doors when they are closing. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 23:29 permits uses a [[Shabbat]] elevator on [[Shabbat]]. Sefer Maliyot BeShabbat (chapters 1 and 7) holds that one may go up in the elevator but not down. Menuchat Ahava 24:15-6 concludes that one shouldn't use the [[Shabbat]] elevator to go up or down unless there is a great need in which case he is lenient to allow going up in the [[Shabbat]] elevator. Rav Yosef Henkin (Edut LeYisrael p. 121) rules that for someone who's weak to do a mitzvah such as daven with a [[minyan]], one can be lenient to use an elevator on [[Shabbat]] as long as the non-jew is the one who presses the button and not a Jew. He then says one doesn't need to protest someone who is lenient if the non-Jew is pressing the button, but a pious person (baal nefesh) would be strict. </ref> | # It is forbidden to use a regular elevator on [[Shabbat]]. Some allow using a '[[Shabbat]] elevator' which stops at every floor, while others forbid, and some say one may go up in the [[Shabbat]] elevator but not down. It is forbidden to touch the elevator doors when they are closing. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 23:29 permits uses a [[Shabbat]] elevator on [[Shabbat]]. Sefer Maliyot BeShabbat (chapters 1 and 7) holds that one may go up in the elevator but not down. Menuchat Ahava 24:15-6 concludes that one shouldn't use the [[Shabbat]] elevator to go up or down unless there is a great need in which case he is lenient to allow going up in the [[Shabbat]] elevator. Rav Yosef Henkin (Edut LeYisrael p. 121) rules that for someone who's weak to do a mitzvah such as daven with a [[minyan]], one can be lenient to use an elevator on [[Shabbat]] as long as the non-jew is the one who presses the button and not a Jew. He then says one doesn't need to protest someone who is lenient if the non-Jew is pressing the button, but a pious person (baal nefesh) would be strict. </ref> | ||
# Some poskim permit opening a refrigerator door only when the motor already is running, while many poskim hold that one may open the door even if the motor is off. <Ref> | # Some poskim permit opening a refrigerator door only when the motor already is running, while many poskim hold that one may open the door even if the motor is off. <Ref> | ||
* Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Minchat Shlomo 1:10) permits opening the refrigerator at any time because completing the circuit to run a motor may not involve any melacha at all, and even if it is, it is permitted because it is grama. He says that he’s not sure that it should be considered a psik reisha d’lo nicha lei as one doesn’t want the hot air to cause the motor to run sooner, because one also does want the motor to run so that the food doesn’t spoil. Tzitz Eliezer 8:12:4, 12:92, Rav Moshe Feinstein (quoted by The [[Shabbos]] Home vol 2, p. 482; see, however, Igrot Moshe 2:68), Rabbi Mordechai Willig ([http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/742317/Rabbi_Mordechai_I_Willig/Halacha_Engages_Modernity_-_Part_8_-_Electrical_Appliances_(Part_1) “Halacha Engages Modernity Part 8,”] min 18-22), Rav Benzion Meir Chai Uziel in Piskei Uziel 15, and Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik quoted by Rav Aharon Lichtenstein (http://www.daat.ac.il/daat/english/journal/broyde_1.htm) agree. Rav Willig commented that the minhag in America is to be lenient. | * Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Minchat Shlomo 1:10) permits opening the refrigerator at any time because completing the circuit to run a motor may not involve any melacha at all, and even if it is, it is permitted because it is grama. He says that he’s not sure that it should be considered a psik reisha d’lo nicha lei as one doesn’t want the hot air to cause the motor to run sooner, because one also does want the motor to run so that the food doesn’t spoil. Tzitz Eliezer 8:12:4, 12:92, Rav Moshe Feinstein (quoted by The [[Shabbos]] Home vol 2, p. 482; see, however, Igrot Moshe 2:68), Rabbi Mordechai Willig ([http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/742317/Rabbi_Mordechai_I_Willig/Halacha_Engages_Modernity_-_Part_8_-_Electrical_Appliances_(Part_1) “Halacha Engages Modernity Part 8,”] min 18-22), Rav Benzion Meir Chai Uziel in Piskei Uziel 15, and Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik quoted by Rav Aharon Lichtenstein (http://www.daat.ac.il/daat/english/journal/broyde_1.htm) agree. Rav Willig commented that the minhag in America is to be lenient. Rabbi Simcha Zellig Rieger in Hapardes (1934 volume 3) is one of the earliest rulings on this issue and was lenient to allow opening the refrigerator based on the opinion of the Aruch that pesik reish dilo nicha leih is permitted. | ||
* In defining grama, Rav Hershel Schachter ([http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/764993/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Electricity_on_Shabbos “Electricity on Shabbos,”] min 73-6) explains that according to many achronim who understand grama as a delay in time, it isn’t even a psik reisha to open a refrigerator if the motor will turn on at a later time, while according to Rav Soloveitchik, who defined grama as a total disconnect in action, if it was certain that opening the door would cause the motor to go on any earlier, perhaps it would be forbidden to open the door when the motor wasn’t running based on koach achar m’urev bo. (See B’Ikvei HaTzon siman 7). | * In defining grama, Rav Hershel Schachter ([http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/764993/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Electricity_on_Shabbos “Electricity on Shabbos,”] min 73-6) explains that according to many achronim who understand grama as a delay in time, it isn’t even a psik reisha to open a refrigerator if the motor will turn on at a later time, while according to Rav Soloveitchik, who defined grama as a total disconnect in action, if it was certain that opening the door would cause the motor to go on any earlier, perhaps it would be forbidden to open the door when the motor wasn’t running based on koach achar m’urev bo. (See B’Ikvei HaTzon siman 7). | ||
* On the other hand, Rav Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer 1:21) assumes like Rav Shlomo Zalman that it is grama, but thinks that completing a circuit may involve an issur deoraitta of hav’ara. He also is uncertain if this should be considered a psik reisha d’lo nicha lei and concludes that it is permitted, but it nevertheless is proper not to open the door unless the motor is running. Har Tzvi 1:151, Menuchat Ahava 24:19, and Rav Henkin (Edut LeYisrael p. 122) agree that although it is permitted, it’s proper to be strict. | * On the other hand, Rav Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer 1:21) assumes like Rav Shlomo Zalman that it is grama, but thinks that completing a circuit may involve an issur deoraitta of hav’ara. He also is uncertain if this should be considered a psik reisha d’lo nicha lei and concludes that it is permitted, but it nevertheless is proper not to open the door unless the motor is running. Har Tzvi 1:151, Menuchat Ahava 24:19, and Rav Henkin (Edut LeYisrael p. 122) agree that although it is permitted, it’s proper to be strict. | ||
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* Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 10:12, Orchot [[Shabbat]] (vol 3 p. 62), and The [[Shabbos]] Home (p. 482) quote the two approaches but do not give a final ruling. Shemirat [[Shabbat]] Kehilchata (10:12) recommends setting the refrigerator to a timer. | * Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 10:12, Orchot [[Shabbat]] (vol 3 p. 62), and The [[Shabbos]] Home (p. 482) quote the two approaches but do not give a final ruling. Shemirat [[Shabbat]] Kehilchata (10:12) recommends setting the refrigerator to a timer. | ||
* [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/742318/Rabbi_Mordechai_I_Willig/Halacha_Engages_Modernity_-_Part_8_-_Electrical_Appliances_(Part_1) Rabbi Willig (min 33-35)] says that using a water fountain on [[Shabbat]] depends on how long it takes for the motor to turn on. He mentions that one shouldn't use a water fountain which clearly will have the motor go on with a single regular use. However, he did not say this as a definitive ruling but in passing. | * [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/742318/Rabbi_Mordechai_I_Willig/Halacha_Engages_Modernity_-_Part_8_-_Electrical_Appliances_(Part_1) Rabbi Willig (min 33-35)] says that using a water fountain on [[Shabbat]] depends on how long it takes for the motor to turn on. He mentions that one shouldn't use a water fountain which clearly will have the motor go on with a single regular use. However, he did not say this as a definitive ruling but in passing. | ||
* See [http://www.zomet.org.il/Eng/?CategoryID=253&ArticleID=143 Zomet.org] or [http://www.star-k.org/kashrus/kk-cooling-keepcool.htm star-k.org] for details on other problems with refrigerators. </ref> If one forgot to disable the light he is permitted to ask a gentile to open or close the refrigerator for him. <ref> Yalkut Yosef Chelek 4 [[Shabbat]] 5 page 229, Iggerot Moshe OC 2:68, and Shemirat [[Shabbat]] Kehilchatah 3:31. | * See [http://www.zomet.org.il/Eng/?CategoryID=253&ArticleID=143 Zomet.org] or [http://www.star-k.org/kashrus/kk-cooling-keepcool.htm star-k.org] for details on other problems with refrigerators. </ref> If one forgot to disable the light he is permitted to ask a gentile to open or close the refrigerator for him. <ref> Yalkut Yosef Chelek 4 [[Shabbat]] 5 page 229, Iggerot Moshe OC 2:68, and Shemirat [[Shabbat]] Kehilchatah 3:31. The aforementioned poskim all reject the opinion of the Aruch either because psik reishe dilo nicha leih is not permitted and they also argue that it is nicha leih because had it not been [[shabbat]] one would certainly want the light to help him see (see minchat shlomo page 91), and say that one should get a gentile to do it for him. [http://www.daat.ac.il/DAAT/english/journal/broyde_1.htm Rabbi Broyde and Rabbi Jachter] permit even asking a Jew who doesn't know that the light will turn on as this would fall under the category of mitasek. Iggerot Moshe OC 2:68 and Shemirat [[Shabbat]] Kehilchitah 31:1 also permit hinting to the gentile to disable the light so that the refrigerator could be used for the remainder of [[shabbat]], but not telling him directly. </ref> | ||
# Some poskim permit walking in an area where a motion sensor will turn on a light provided that one does not intend to turn on the light if there’s no other way to walk. <Ref> | # Some poskim permit walking in an area where a motion sensor will turn on a light provided that one does not intend to turn on the light if there’s no other way to walk. <Ref> | ||
* Sheivet HaLevi 9:69 permits walking in an area where there is a motion sensor that will activate a light, such as those attached to the outside of buildings. He explains that davar she’eino mitkaven refers only to when one does an action that may cause an unintended melacha. If, however, one is walking normally and makes no motion in order for a melacha to occur, it is not even a psik reisha as long as one’s intent isn’t to turn on the light. Orchot [[Shabbat]] (p. 79) quotes Rav Elyashiv and Rav Nissim Karlitz who say that since one doesn’t have a direct connection to the melacha and doesn’t care about the light, it’s not called melechet machshevet. The [[Shabbos]] Home (p. 489) agrees. | * Sheivet HaLevi 9:69 permits walking in an area where there is a motion sensor that will activate a light, such as those attached to the outside of buildings. He explains that davar she’eino mitkaven refers only to when one does an action that may cause an unintended melacha. If, however, one is walking normally and makes no motion in order for a melacha to occur, it is not even a psik reisha as long as one’s intent isn’t to turn on the light. Orchot [[Shabbat]] (p. 79) quotes Rav Elyashiv and Rav Nissim Karlitz who say that since one doesn’t have a direct connection to the melacha and doesn’t care about the light, it’s not called melechet machshevet. The [[Shabbos]] Home (p. 489) agrees. | ||
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* Practical Laws of [[Shabbat]] (Rabbi Rafael Soae, p. 335) quotes Kedushat HaShabbat (Rabbi Moshe Harari p. 79) who says that if there’s no other bathroom available other than one which has toilets that automatically flush when one moves away, one may use the toilet because of Kavod HaBriyot. | * Practical Laws of [[Shabbat]] (Rabbi Rafael Soae, p. 335) quotes Kedushat HaShabbat (Rabbi Moshe Harari p. 79) who says that if there’s no other bathroom available other than one which has toilets that automatically flush when one moves away, one may use the toilet because of Kavod HaBriyot. | ||
* Rabbi Yisrael Belsky in Shulchan HaLevi 7:7 permits using this type of bathroom if there is no other bathroom available, but if there’s another option, he forbids using the electrical toilet. Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz ([http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/761805/Rabbi_Aryeh_Lebowitz/Ten_Minute_Halacha_-_Using_Automatic_Bathrooms_on_Shabbos “Using Automatic Bathrooms on Shabbos”]) quotes Rav Belsky as saying that kavod habriyot would not be a leniency in order to wash one’s hands with an automatic sink. </ref> | * Rabbi Yisrael Belsky in Shulchan HaLevi 7:7 permits using this type of bathroom if there is no other bathroom available, but if there’s another option, he forbids using the electrical toilet. Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz ([http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/761805/Rabbi_Aryeh_Lebowitz/Ten_Minute_Halacha_-_Using_Automatic_Bathrooms_on_Shabbos “Using Automatic Bathrooms on Shabbos”]) quotes Rav Belsky as saying that kavod habriyot would not be a leniency in order to wash one’s hands with an automatic sink. </ref> | ||
==Setting Timers before Shabbat== | ==Setting Timers before Shabbat== | ||
# It is permitted before [[Shabbat]] to set a timer for lights or other electric appliances to go on or off on [[Shabbat]].<ref>Sh"t Maharam Shik 157, Chazon Ish 38:2, Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 13:26, Menuchat Ahava 24:30, Sh"t Yabia Omer 3:17 </ref> | # It is permitted before [[Shabbat]] to set a timer for lights or other electric appliances to go on or off on [[Shabbat]].<ref>Sh"t Maharam Shik 157, Chazon Ish 38:2, Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 13:26, Menuchat Ahava 24:30, Sh"t Yabia Omer 3:17 </ref> | ||
