Electricity on Shabbat - the halakhic framework

We approach a complex topic: electricity on Shabbat. There is no direct Torah prohibition mentioning 'electricity.' The Torah did not know electricity. Rather, we must construct a halakhic framework around electrical actions using existing Shabbat principles.

Electricity is not an object forbidden to move. It is a force, energy. The question is, which forbidden actions do we perform or cause when using this force?

Great halakhic authorities have debated the question of electricity and developed different approaches. We will present four fundamental views, each focusing on a different aspect of the potential prohibition.

1. 1The Chazon Ish: Views activating an electrical circuit as 'Boneh' (building) rabbinically, as it creates a new reality of electrical flow.
2. 2Rabbi Moshe Feinstein: Focuses on 'Mav'ir' (kindling). If a filament heats up, it's a Torah prohibition of 'Mav'ir'. If there's no heating, there might not be a Torah prohibition.
3. 3The 'Beit Yitzchak' (Rabbi Yitzchak Schmelkes): Identifies the creation of current as 'Molida' (generating) – creating something new, a rabbinic or Torah prohibition (depending on interpretation).
4. 4Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach: Emphasizes 'Gerama' (indirect causation) and 'Shinui' (deviation). Electrical action is often 'Gerama', and therefore sometimes permitted with a deviation or for a mitzvah.

The central practical distinction is between devices that create heat or light (like an incandescent bulb or a heater) and devices that process information or create sound (like a radio, computer, or telephone).

Heating/Lighting Device: Rabbi Feinstein would view an incandescent bulb as a Torah prohibition of 'Mav'ir', as it creates heat and light through incandescence. Turning it off is also a Torah prohibition of 'Mechabeh' (extinguishing). An electric oven falls into this category.

Information/Sound Device: Phone, computer, radio. Here the discussion is more complex. Is creating an image on a screen 'Kotev' (writing) or 'Boneh' (building)? Is creating sound 'Makeh B'Patish' (the final hammer blow, a finishing touch)? Most authorities would view this as at least a rabbinic prohibition, due to concern for appearance or desecration of Shabbat.

'Gerama' is indirectly causing a forbidden action. In principle, 'Gerama' is permitted on Shabbat in cases of great need or for the sake of a mitzvah, when the resulting prohibition is rabbinic, or in certain cases even for a Torah prohibition with a deviation.

For example, turning on a light with a motion sensor or opening an electric door with a sensor. The action is not direct. However, some authorities are stringent even with Gerama in electricity, especially where there is no great need or where there is an appearance of impropriety.