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Electricity on Shabbat: Difference between revisions

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==Yom Tov==
==Yom Tov==
# Most poskim agree that turning on or off an incandescent light on [[Yom Tov]] is forbidden rabbinically. Although in the past some poskim permitted turning on lights on [[Yom Tov]], it was based on an incorrect assumption. Thus, the accepted minhag is to follow the poskim who say that it's forbidden. <ref> It is permissible on [[Yom Tov]] to add to or transfer an already existing flame and even lighting a new flame is only a rabbinic prohibition. Shulchan Aruch 502:1 and Beiur Halacha "Ein Motziin." See Sh"t Yabia Omer OC 1:19 and poskim cited there. The poskim who permit it include Rav Yechiel Michel Epstein (The Aruch Hashulchan) in a letter published in Kovetz Vaad Chachamim 1 (Shevat 5663), Even Yekara 3:168, Ohr Chadash page 64, Rabbi Tzvi [[Pesach]] Frank in Kol Torah 5694, Mishpetei Uziel OC 19, Hilchot Rabata LeShabbata 1:7, as well as more poskim quoted in Chashmal Behalacha 2:5. However, [http://www.daat.ac.il/daat/english/journal/broyde_1.htm Rabbi Broyde and Rabbi Jachter] explain that this is based on a faulty understanding of electricity that completing a circuit only transfers an existing flame, which isn't correct. Thus, they reject these arguments and conclude that since this is not the view of the majority of the poskim it is prohibited. The poskim who forbid turning on a light on [[Yom Tov]] include Rav Ovadia Yosef in Sh"t Yabia Omer 1:19, Rav Moshe Feinstein in Iggerot Moshe OC 1:115, Chelkat Yaakov 1:51, Yaskil Avdi 2:10 and 4:27:3, and Shemirat [[Shabbat]] Kehilchatah 13:2.  </ref>
# Most poskim agree that turning on or off an incandescent light on [[Yom Tov]] is forbidden rabbinically. Although in the past some poskim permitted turning on lights on [[Yom Tov]], it was based on an incorrect assumption. Thus, the accepted minhag is to follow the poskim who say that it's forbidden. <ref> It is permissible on [[Yom Tov]] to add to or transfer an already existing flame and even lighting a new flame is only a rabbinic prohibition. Shulchan Aruch 502:1 and Beiur Halacha "Ein Motziin." See Sh"t Yabia Omer OC 1:19 and poskim cited there. The poskim who permit it include Rav Yechiel Michel Epstein (The Aruch Hashulchan) in a letter published in Kovetz Vaad Chachamim 1 (Shevat 5663), Even Yekara 3:168, Ohr Chadash page 64, Rabbi Tzvi [[Pesach]] Frank in Kol Torah 5694, Mishpetei Uziel OC 19, Hilchot Rabata LeShabbata 1:7, as well as more poskim quoted in Chashmal Behalacha 2:5. However, [http://www.daat.ac.il/daat/english/journal/broyde_1.htm Rabbi Broyde and Rabbi Jachter] explain that this is based on a faulty understanding of electricity that completing a circuit only transfers an existing flame, which isn't correct. Thus, they reject these arguments and conclude that since this is not the view of the majority of the poskim it is prohibited. The poskim who forbid turning on a light on [[Yom Tov]] include Rav Ovadia Yosef in Sh"t Yabia Omer 1:19, Rav Moshe Feinstein in Iggerot Moshe OC 1:115, Chelkat Yaakov 1:51, Yaskil Avdi 2:10 and 4:27:3, and Shemirat [[Shabbat]] Kehilchatah 13:2.  </ref>
===Using a Smart Phone on Shabbos===
==Using a Smart Phone on Shabbos==
# Battery: The battery can get extremely hot from use - this can be a potential issur derabanon of making a fire (Mavir).<ref> The Rambam's opinion is that heating a metal to the point where it is glowing hot is a Biblical violation of lighting a fire (Mavir).</ref>
# Battery: The battery can get extremely hot from use - this can be a potential issur derabanon of making a fire (Mavir).<ref> The Rambam's opinion is that heating a metal to the point where it is glowing hot is a Biblical violation of lighting a fire (Mavir).</ref>
# Writing: Text that is typed and erased remains on the phones hard drive. This text potentially involves an issue of writing (Koseiv), erasing (Mochek)  and improving the functionality of the phone (Metaken).  
# Writing: Text that is typed and erased remains on the phones hard drive. This text potentially involves an issue of writing (Koseiv), erasing (Mochek)  and improving the functionality of the phone (Metaken).