Does the Use of Electricity on the Sabbath Violate Any Jewish Laws?
Jewish tradition has long held that certain activities are not permitted during Shabbat, commencing at sunset on Friday evening and ending at the end of the day on Saturday. Observant Jews will commonly abstain from most types of work, including tasks around the house, and from buying and selling goods or services. In addition, people of the Jewish faith may not “ignite a fire” during Shabbat. Any candles used during Shabbat must be lit before the sun goes down on Friday night. In some Jewish traditions, the turning on of an electric light and, by extension, the use of electricity in general, constitutes the “igniting” of a fire and is strictly banned.
The Prohibition Against “Igniting a Fire”
The origin of the ban against lighting a fire stems the passage in Exodus 35:3, which says, “You shall not kindle a fire in any of your dwellings on the sabbath day.” Initially, the passage was interpreted to prohibit the starting of a fire and any activity that required fire, such as baking or cooking, lighting a torch or candle, and even collecting firewood. Other scholars believe that it falls under Exodus 20:8-11, which bans working on the sabbath. The Bible also forbids other activities on the sabbath, including:
- Travel—Exodus 16:29-30
- Field labor—Exodus 34:21 and Numbers 15:32-36
- Conducting business—Isaiah 58:13
- Treading on a winepress—Nehemiah 13:15-18
Within Orthodox Judaism, there remains a complete ban on the use of electrical devices and electricity on Shabbat. There are, however, some exceptions:
- A person may use electricity if it is the only way to save a human life…in fact, a person must do so
- An activity that indirectly activates an electrical appliance—for example, an electrical device is programmed to go on at a specific time—it may be permitted if the person did not know it would occur and did not benefit from the automatic operation
Within Conservative Judaism, however, there is more leniency with respect to the use of electrical devices or electricity on Shabbat. According to Conservative Judaism’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, while choosing not to use some electrical appliances or devices, including electric lights, on Shabbat is considered a pious act, it is not required by Jewish law.
The Difference between Turning on an Electrical Device and Using One
Even within Orthodox Judaism, there tends to be a distinction between turning or operating an electrical device (igniting a fire) and the actual use of one. It’s long been common practice, for example, to light candles before Shabbat and allow them to burn throughout the sabbath. The same principle has been applied to the use of electrical devices:
- Refrigerators and freezers can be left on throughout Shabbat without violating Jewish law
- Electric lights and fans can be turned on before Shabbat begins, but must be left running
- Many families turn on a hotplate or warming plate before Shabbat, so that food can be kept warm. It’s important to understand, though, that the hotplates may only be used to keep food warm or to reheat it, but not to cook it.
- The use of timers to turn electrical devices on and off has been permitted, as it does not require that the person activate the device during Shabbat
Some activities that involve electricity are generally prohibited on Shabbat for other reasons. As cited above, cooking food is forbidden, so an electric stove may not be used to cook food (though it might be permissible to reheat or warm up food that has already been cooked. In addition, the use of a computer or handheld device may be contrary to the prohibition on writing, which is considered a form of labor.
Gutterman’s and Gutterman Warheit—Providing Funeral and Burial Services to the Jewish Community for More than 125 Years
At Gutterman’s and Gutterman Warheit, with funeral chapels in New York and Florida, we bring more than five generations of experience to individuals and families after the death of a loved one. We understand the distinct customs within each Jewish tradition and can offer assistance and guidance on any matter, from the order of the memorial service to the selection of a casket or monument, from the arrangements for sitting Shiva or the development of a Yahrzeit calendar. We also work directly with the Chevra Kadisha, so that you know that the body has been ritually prepared according to Jewish law prior to interment.
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