Wiktor Wise
The use of electricity by Orthodox Jews on Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, is a complex and nuanced topic. Orthodox Jewish authorities prohibit the use of electrical devices on Shabbat, which includes refraining from turning electrical appliances on or off. However, some authorities allow the use of electrical devices that were turned on before the Sabbath began, and the use of lights, fans, and other devices that do not disrupt the atmosphere of Shabbat is also permitted by some. The interpretation of these rules varies among different Jewish communities, and there is no central Jewish authority that can provide a definitive statement on the matter. Additionally, the Rabbinate in Turkey permits electricity usage as they do not consider it equivalent to fire.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for not using electricity | The operation of electrical devices on the Jewish Sabbath is categorically prohibited by Orthodox Jewish authorities. |
| Exceptions | Lights, heating, air conditioning, and cooking appliances can be used if they were turned on before the Sabbath. |
| Devices that cannot be used | Computers, cameras, and smartphones that record data. |
| Devices that can be used | Baby monitors, lights, fans, electronic key cards, electric motors, elevators, and other devices that do not disrupt the atmosphere of Shabbat. |
| Reasoning behind the prohibition | Using electricity amounts to kindling a flame, which violates the biblical prohibition on lighting a fire on the Sabbath. |
| Other reasons | Using electricity is akin to "building" and "destroying", which are prohibited on the Sabbath. |
| Social aspects | Not using electricity on the Sabbath helps observant Jews remember and follow Judaism. |
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What You'll Learn
- Orthodox Judaism forbids electricity use on Shabbat
- Electrical appliances may be used if turned on before Shabbat
- Some electrical appliances are allowed by authorities if they are indirectly activated
- Using electricity may cause observant Jews to forget about Judaism
- Electricity use is avoided on Shabbat to avoid work
Orthodox Judaism forbids electricity use on Shabbat
Orthodox Judaism forbids the use of electrical devices on Shabbat, or the Sabbath—the day of rest and seventh day of the week. This prohibition is based on the interpretation that turning on an electric light or device constitutes "igniting" a fire, which is banned in the Bible. Exodus 35:3 states: "You shall not kindle a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day."
However, there are differing opinions on the use of electricity on Shabbat, even within Orthodox Judaism. Some argue that using electrical appliances is prohibited due to the popular traditions (minhagim) of maximizing the spirit of Shabbat. Others, like Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, disagree, saying that building and destroying are fundamentally permanent acts, while using electricity is temporary. He compares opening and closing an electrical circuit to opening and closing a door, which is not prohibited.
There are also practical considerations. For example, cooking food is forbidden on Shabbat, so an electric stove should not be used to cook. However, it may be permissible to reheat or warm up pre-cooked food. Similarly, while using a computer or handheld device may be prohibited due to the writing it involves, a refrigerator or freezer can be left on as it is not manually modified during Shabbat.
Some Orthodox Jews also draw a distinction between turning on an electrical device and using one. For example, a microphone may be allowed if turned on before Shabbat, as it is only amplifying the human voice, not creating it. A ""kosher phone" has also been invented to minimize halachic issues, and its use by essential workers is permitted.
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Electrical appliances may be used if turned on before Shabbat
The use of electrical appliances by Jews who observe Shabbat is a contentious topic, with various rabbinical authorities holding different opinions on what is permitted and what is not. In Orthodox Judaism, the use of electrical devices on Shabbat is forbidden, with the belief that turning on an incandescent light bulb goes against the Biblical prohibition of lighting a fire. However, Conservative Jewish rabbinical authorities disagree, arguing that turning on electric lights is not the same as igniting a fire.
Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, a prominent Orthodox authority, offers a nuanced perspective. He differentiates between “building” and “destroying," which he believes are permanent in nature, and the use of electrical devices, which is typically temporary and reversible. Additionally, he refutes the idea that using electricity constitutes "igniting," asserting that heating metal is only prohibited when there is an intention to modify it.
Despite these differing interpretations, most rabbinical authorities agree that directly using electricity and electrical appliances is generally prohibited on Shabbat. However, there are some scenarios where leniencies may be applied. For example, some authorities permit the use of electrical appliances if they are turned on before Shabbat or if they are activated indirectly. This indirect activation may be allowed if it is uncertain or if the person does not directly benefit from the appliance's operation.
In the case of refrigerators, most Shabbat-observant Jews permit opening and closing the refrigerator door during Shabbat. However, some authorities require that the door is only opened when the refrigerator motor is already running to avoid causing the motor to turn on due to an increase in temperature. Additionally, any incandescent light that turns on when the door is opened must be disconnected before Shabbat, as the light turning on is considered a Biblical prohibition.
These complexities and disagreements highlight the nuanced nature of Jewish legal opinions regarding electricity use during Shabbat. While direct use of electrical appliances is generally prohibited, there are exceptions and interpretations that allow for some flexibility in specific situations.
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Some electrical appliances are allowed by authorities if they are indirectly activated
The use of electricity on Shabbat is a contentious issue in the Jewish community. Orthodox Jewish authorities prohibit the use of electrical devices on Shabbat, but there are some exceptions and disagreements on the technical halakhic reasons for prohibiting electricity.
Some authorities, like Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, argue that the use of electricity is prohibited mainly due to Jewish communities' popular traditions (minhagim) of maximizing the spirit of Shabbat. However, he also rules leniently, stating that unintentionally creating a circuit is permitted as it does not have the same level of significance as makeh b'patish.
While the direct operation of electrical appliances is prohibited, some authorities allow indirect methods. Actions that activate an electrical appliance but are not specifically intended to do so may be permitted if the activation is uncertain or if the person does not benefit from the appliance's operation. For example, a refrigerator door can be opened as long as the motor is already running, as the motor is indirectly activated by the flow of heat from outside.
Additionally, electrical appliances that are turned on before Shabbat can be used, such as lights, heating, and air conditioning. Some appliance manufacturers have also implemented "Sabbath modes" that disable automatic functions and use delay timers, accommodating observant Jews.
The Zomet Institute in Israel has developed a Sabbath electrical outlet that operates through indirect action, providing another option for observant Jews to use electricity while adhering to the restrictions on direct activation.
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Using electricity may cause observant Jews to forget about Judaism
The use of electricity on Shabbat is a contentious issue among observant Jews. Orthodox Jewish authorities categorically prohibit the use of electrical devices on the Jewish Sabbath, with some arguing that using electricity may cause observant Jews to forget about Judaism. This view holds that by not keeping Shabbat, individuals may gradually extend their non-observance to other aspects of Judaism, ultimately leading to a disconnect from their religious practices and beliefs.
There are several justifications for the prohibition of electricity on Shabbat. One argument is that using electricity constitutes "building," which is Biblically prohibited. Closing an electrical circuit to create a current is considered analogous to building, while opening a closed circuit is seen as the corresponding act of destroying. However, some rabbis disagree with this interpretation, stating that building and destroying are fundamentally permanent in nature, while using electricity is temporary and reversible.
Another justification for the prohibition is the concern around fire and sparks. The Torah bans the performance of physical creative labor on Shabbat, which includes kindling a flame. As electricity is associated with fire, using it could be seen as violating the biblical prohibition on lighting a fire on the Sabbath. Additionally, the largest source of electricity in the US is the burning of fossil fuels, which falls under the melacha of Ma’avir, “Burning.”
Despite the prohibition on using electricity directly, observant Jews can benefit from electrical objects during Shabbat if they are preset before the start of Shabbat. Lights, heating, air conditioning, and even refrigerators can be used as long as they are not manually turned on or adjusted during Shabbat. This is because the status of the appliance is not modified, and the benefit is indirect.
Some rabbis have also argued that modern electronic devices should be banned because they generate data, which violates the rabbinic ban on writing. However, this view does not consider the use of electricity itself as forbidden, and allows for the use of lights, fans, electric motors, and other devices that do not disrupt the atmosphere of Shabbat.
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Electricity use is avoided on Shabbat to avoid work
Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, is a day of rest that marks the day of rest after God's six days of creation. Orthodox Jewish authorities prohibit the use of electrical devices on Shabbat, which includes computers, cameras, and smartphones. However, there are no restrictions on using electrical appliances that were turned on before Shabbat.
The Torah prohibits performing physical creative labor on Shabbat, which is called melachah in Hebrew. Over time, rabbis have tried to categorize the use of electricity under one of the 39 categories of prohibited activities on Shabbat. One common argument is that using electricity is akin to kindling a flame, which goes against the biblical prohibition of lighting a fire on Shabbat.
Another perspective on the matter is that using electricity involves "building," which is prohibited on Shabbat. The Chazon Ish wrote that closing an electrical circuit to create a current is biblically prohibited as building, and opening a closed circuit is the corresponding prohibited act of destroying. However, Shlomo Zalman Auerbach disagreed, arguing that building and destroying are fundamentally permanent, while using electricity is temporary and reversible.
Rabbi Daniel Nevins offered a different viewpoint, suggesting that modern electronic devices should be banned because they generate data, which goes against the rabbinic ban on writing. Nevertheless, he also concluded that electricity use is not entirely forbidden and permitted the use of lights, fans, and other devices that do not disrupt the atmosphere of Shabbat.
Some workarounds have been developed to accommodate observant Jews. For example, "Shabbat elevators" are programmed to stop on every floor, allowing the observant to avoid climbing stairs without operating an electrical machine. Additionally, timers are often used to turn lights on and off, and some appliance manufacturers have introduced "Sabbath modes" that disable automatic lights and displays.
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Frequently asked questions
Orthodox Jewish authorities prohibit the use of electricity and electrical appliances on the Sabbath or Shabbat. This is because the use of electricity is believed to amount to kindling a flame, which is banned on the Sabbath.
The Chazon Ish wrote that closing an electrical circuit to create a current was prohibited as 'building', and opening a closed circuit was the prohibited act of 'destroying'. However, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach disagreed with this, saying that building and destroying are fundamentally permanent in nature, whereas using electricity is temporary.
Computers, cameras, smartphones, lights, fans, and televisions are some examples of electrical appliances that observant Jews do not use on the Sabbath.
Yes, there are some exceptions. Electrical appliances that were turned on before the Sabbath can be used, and there are also special Shabbat timers that can be used to turn appliances on and off automatically.
