Q&A: Computer Software as a Sabbath Gentile
Computer Software as a Sabbath Gentile
Question
Hello Honorable Rabbi,
Recently I came across a new invention—an electronic Sabbath timer, which automatically recognizes when the Sabbath begins, and can be programmed using an LED screen for when it turns on and when it turns off (without the traditional tabs in the familiar timer).
On the other hand, I understand that there is a ruling by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein saying that programming a robot is considered telling a gentile to do something, which is forbidden.
I would like to ask: is it possible to build a smart electronic Sabbath timer, connected to sensors throughout the house, which by means of intelligent, learning software knows on its own when to turn lights and various devices on and off? Technologically speaking, it is a direct continuation of an electronic Sabbath timer (with the addition of interaction with the environment), but on the other hand it resembles a programmed robot in its complexity.
In addition, in this sense is computer software considered a Sabbath gentile?
And in general, from the standpoint of halakhic ruling, what is the difference between a robot and an electronic Sabbath timer?
Thank you
Answer
I do not understand what the difference is between a Sabbath timer and a robot. This is a golem and that is a golem. Moreover, telling a gentile to do something was forbidden for two reasons (I am ignoring what is implied in Sefer Mitzvot Gadol, cited in Beit Yosef, that it is Torah-level): 1. Agency for a gentile as a stringency. 2. “Speaking of speech” (“vedabber davar”)—speech is forbidden on the Sabbath. Neither of these explanations is relevant to a robot. And as for indirect causation, there is certainly no reason to forbid it when the causative act was done before the Sabbath. Even regarding “his fire is משום his arrows” (which is much more severe than indirect causation), the Nimukei Yosef wrote in chapter 2 of Bava Kamma that it is permitted to light a candle before the Sabbath even though it is considered like his arrows for the entire duration of its burning (otherwise there would be a prohibition against lighting Sabbath candles).
Therefore, in my opinion, in principle it is permitted to operate things with a robot programmed in advance, insofar as it is permitted with a Sabbath timer. However, one should pay attention to the law of drawing attention to the matter—things that appear as though they are being operated on the Sabbath, and make noise or attract attention, were forbidden rabbinically. The words of the Nimukei Yosef that I mentioned deal with something more severe, since there it is not about a control mechanism but about the lighting itself. That is more severe than a Sabbath timer (which only controls the timing and does not provide a renewed power source), and even so it is permitted.
Discussion on Answer
*Of course, a game played by non-Jews or a recorded one
You are mixing up a question of prohibited labor with the issue of weekday-type activity. There is no prohibition of labor in such a case, even regarding a game played by Jews. There is a question of benefiting from Sabbath desecration, of weekday-type activity, and of drawing attention to the matter (because of suspicion).
And what is the law regarding a “smart home” that can be controlled by voice commands? Is computer software that is constantly listening and waiting for a voice instruction forbidden?
It is forbidden to operate something by voice commands on the Sabbath itself. That is unrelated to the question of a Sabbath timer and robots that are activated before the Sabbath—more stringent because it is on the Sabbath, and more lenient because it is not done through an action but by voice (though this should be discussed in light of the Talmudic passage about “do not muzzle” by voice).
So is it permitted from the outset to watch soccer games with a Sabbath timer? From what I see, modern halakhic decisors stretch the category of “weekday-type activity” to cover that too. In your opinion, is it permitted?