Ask the Rabbi
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Actions and Appliances on Shabbat
- Electricity on Shabbat
Question
Is it permissable to use or operate an elevator on Shabbat and Yom Tov?
Answer
Operating an electrical device, like an elevator, is forbidden on Shabbat and Yom Tov unless it is a rabbinically-approved "Shabbat elevator" that runs automatically.
Hot plate and Shabbat timer
Rabbi Baruch Finkelstein | 11 Elul 5767
non-Shabbos elevator on Shabbat
Rabbi David Sperling | Adar I 2, 5774
Electronic door opening on Shabbat
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Cheshvan 5, 5770
