Q&A: A Halakhic Question
A Halakhic Question
Question
Hello, Rabbi!
We have an electronic button on the refrigerator such that with a prolonged press the light in the refrigerator turns off, and then the refrigerator can be used on the Sabbath. Sometimes it happens that someone in the household accidentally leans on that button on the Sabbath, and then the bulb turns on. What can be done in such a case? Is it possible to be lenient and press the button again so that every opening of the door will not turn on the electricity? I heard that there is a difference between electricity and electronics in terms of the level of the prohibition.
Answer
I do not see any permission to use electricity in such a situation. If there is major impairment of the household’s Sabbath enjoyment, one can be lenient by having a non-Jew do it (and even that is not entirely clear-cut, only if electricity is rabbinic).
If pressing the button does not activate anything at that moment (no light of any kind turns on when pressing it), then perhaps there is more room to be lenient, and it is preferable to do it in an unusual manner.