Shabbos Elevator: Do We Use It?

Ask the Rov: What is a ‘Shabbos Elevator’ and should it be used?

By Rabbi Chaim Hillel Raskin – Rov of Anash in Petach Tikvah

The problem with riding an elevator on Shabbos isn’t limited to pressing the buttons, but simply being in the elevator activates various lights and sensors. Thus, even if an ordinary elevator opens and closes automatically, it may not be used on Shabbos.

A ‘Shabbos Elevator’ is specially built by a halachic institute with full consideration of weight sensors, lights, and any other sensors, which are disabled in Shabbos Mode. Though, one must take care not to stand near the doors when they are about to close.

What about the effect of the weight on the motor?

Various heterim have been given to overlook the effect of a person’s weight during the elevator’s ascent. Firstly, the effect is indirect and negligible. Secondly, the elevator is electric (unlike a gas- powered car), and increasing an electric current is less stringent.¹

When descending, there is an additional issue since the passenger’s weight contributes to the downward force and substitutes some of the electric power. It follows then that the passenger has a share in all the electric processes activated during the descent.² Therefore, some only use a Shabbos elevator to go up but not to go down.³

Still, other poskim argue that since the passenger didn’t cause any change in the elevator’s pace, and everything would have occurred exactly the same regardless, the passenger’s actions are Halachically insignificant.⁴

Furthermore, the passenger isn’t actually doing anything with his weight; he remains completely passive, while the elevator system initiates on its own and calculates how much power to use. At most, it can be considered a minor assistance to the elevator system, which has the ability to do it completely on its own. Therefore, it has the halachic status of providing unneeded assistance to a melacha, for which one is not liable.⁵

Other concerns with using a Shabbos elevator include zilusa d’Shabbos (disgrace of Shabbos) and maris ayin (mistaken observation).⁶

In practice, we avoid using Shabbos elevators except in cases of need for children, the sick, or the elderly. In any case, it must have a reliable hechsher and ongoing supervision as the technology is constantly evolving and maintenance repairs can affect its kashrus status. (Some hechsherim accommodate the above-mentioned halachic issues more comprehensively than others.)

See Sources (open PDF)

From The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash