Electricity on Shabbat: Difference between revisions

*Rav Shlomo Zalman (Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata (ch. 43 fnt. 22) held that using an electric bulb plugged into the wall is questionable since the fuel to keep it lit on Shabbat wasn't present at the time of the lighting. Rav Moshe Feinstein (quoted by Rabbi Tendler in Moreshet Moshe v. 2 p. 51) agreed with this concern.</ref> There is a discussion whether one would be able to make a blessing on a fluorescent or LED lightbulb. Although these bulb do not have the halachic status of a fire, some argue that a halachic fire is not needed for Shabbat candles, and that anything that produces light is sufficient.<ref>Rav Hershel Schachter (“Lighting [[Shabbos]] Candles,” min 36-7) holds that while one may light an incandescent bulb with a bracha, one may not light a fluorescent or neon bulb with a bracha. This opinion is repeated in [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/839951/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Jewish_Heritage_Tour_of_Hungary_Part_10_of_10 this shiur on yutorah.org]. [https://www.torahanytime.com/#/lectures?v=63110 Rav Yitzchak Yosef (Motzei Shabbat Parshat Chukat 5778 min 38)] held that any light even a florescent or LED light is effective for Shabbat candles. [http://halachipedia.com/documents/5773/4.pdf Rabbi Mordechai Willig (Halachipedia Article 5773 n. 4)] agrees.</ref> This is because the light bulbs essentially accomplish the role<ref>Tosfot [[Shabbat]] 25b</ref> that the traditional [[Shabbat]] candles are intended to serve.<ref>There are two reasons why we light [[Shabbat]] candles. The first is for “Oneg [[Shabbat]]” which requires that the home be illuminated Friday night in order that people not stumble in the dark. The second reason is for “Kavod [[Shabbat]]” which calls for plentiful lighting in honor of [[Shabbat]], as was the custom upon receiving a distinguished guest. </ref>  While the use of any form of electric bulb for Shabbat candles should never be relied upon in normal circumstances, it is permissible in extenuating ones.  

#If one is forced to use the electric lights in one's home as the [[Shabbat]] candles, they should be shut off momentarily and then turned back on in order for them to now be designated as the [[Shabbat]] "candles".<ref>Teshuvot V’hanhagot 2:157</ref> Indeed, every week before the lady of the house lights her [[Shabbat]] candles, she should momentarily turn off the household lights and then turn them back on. When she makes her blessing over the candles she should have in mind that her blessing include the electric lights as well which will also be providing light over the course of [[Shabbat]].<ref>Az Nidberu 1:79, Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata  43:N171 </ref> Those who are forced to use the electric lights instead of candles should endeavor to turn on even those lights which are not normally used in order for there to be some distinction that the electric lights are in honor of [[Shabbat]].<ref>Tzitz Eliezer 1:20</ref>