Q&A: Electricity on a Jewish Holiday
Electricity on a Jewish Holiday
Question
Hello Rabbi,
There was a heated debate, mainly among Moroccan rabbis, who permitted electricity on a Jewish holiday. Their reasoning, it seems to me, is that even if we say electricity is analogous to fire, then it is like transferring a flame from one fire to another, since the electricity already exists—for example, in the home’s electrical grid. And not only they; if I remember correctly, Rabbi Frank also permitted it, along with other Ashkenazi rabbis.
But on the other hand, Rabbi Ovadia’s son, Rabbi Yitzhak, claims that they did not understand electricity. Is that really so?
What, in your opinion, is the Jewish law on this issue? Is it permitted or forbidden?
Thank you
Answer
Indeed. I wrote my view in column 397: it is forbidden by Torah law under the category of building.