Electricity

Electricity on Yom Tov:[1]

It is forbidden to use electricity on Yom Tov just as is the law on Shabbos.[2]

May one raise the temperature of an electric oven or stove on Yom Tov?[3]

No, unless one knows for certain that doing so will not extinguish any current currents and will not ignite any new currents of heat. However, some Poskim[4] are stringent even in such a case.

May one use ovens freely on Yom Tov even if they are thermostat based without Shabbos mode?[5]

Yes.[6]

May one ask a gentile on Yom Tov to turn on the electricity/light?[7]

It is permitted to ask a gentile to turn on a light on Yom Tov for the sake of a Mitzvah, or in a time of great need.[8] It is forbidden to do so if it does not involve a Mitzvah or great need.

May one ask a child on Yom Tov to turn on the electricity?

Some Poskim[9] rule that in a time of need one may ask a child that has not reached the age of Chinuch, to turn on the electricity for the sake of Simchas Yom Tov.

If one transgressed and turned on the electricity on Yom Tov, may he benefit from it?

Yes, just as we rule regarding fire.

May one set up an electric oven to turn on, on Yom Tov, using a timer?[10]

Yes. It is permitted to cook/bake in an electric oven that was turned on before Yom Tov or that was turned on using a timer.

From the Rav’s Desk

1.       Question: [Monday, 15th Tishreiy, 5783]

The electricity of my home suddenly shut off in middle of our meal in the sukkah on the night of Yom Tov. We tried looking for a gentile in our neighborhood to turn it back on but could not find one. Is there any Halachic solution for us to do to turn the electricity back on? All of our food for Yom Tov, as well as all of the food in the freezer will go to waste, not to mention that our entire house and Sukkah is pitch black.

Answer:

In a time of need, if there is no gentile available, one may ask a child [preferably one that has not reached the age of Chinuch, if available], to turn on the electricity for the sake of Simchas Yom Tov.

Explanation: The lighting of a fire on Yom Tov is only a rabbinical prohibition according to Admur and most Poskim, and hence it is permitted to ask a gentile to light a new fire on Yom Tov in a time of need, as is always the rule that we permit Shvus Deshevus. Furthermore, some Poskim in a time of need even permit for a Jew to directly light a new fire on Yom Tov for the sake of Simchas Yom Tov. Now, while we do not rule like this opinion, nevertheless one may rely on this opinion in a time of need to ask a child to turn on the electricity, as aside for this opinion, there is also a debate in Poskim as to whether turning on electricity is forbidden on Yom Tov or not

Sources: See regarding the prohibition of lighting a fire on Yom  Tov: Admur 502:1; Michaber 502:1; Taz 502:1; See regarding its Rabbinical versus Biblical status of prohibition: Admur 502:1; 495:2; Kuntrus Achron 495:1-2; M”A 518:1; Maggid Mishneh on Rambam 1:4; Taz ibid; M”B 502:1 See regarding lighting a fire on Yom Tov in a time of need: Lenient: Birkeiy Yosef 502:1 in name of his grandfather the Chesed Leavraham based on Tosafus and Beis Moed, brought in Zechor Leavraham 10, Mikra Kodesh Likkutei Rima 2 and Kaf Hachaim 502:2; Pnei Yehoshua Beitza 33; See Nitei Gavriel 20:3; Stringent: Kerem Shlomo; Orchos Chaim 502:1; Minchas Yitzchak 4:99;; See regarding doing so through a gentile: P”M in Magidos 110; Maharsham 4:143; Shevet Halevi 8:121; Beir Moshe 6 Elektri 27; Az Nidbaru 12:37; Piskeiy Teshuvos 502:1; Nitei Gavriel 20: 24; Yabia Omer 2:26 See regarding doing so through a child: Beir Moshe 8:166; Piskeiy Teshuvos 502:1-2; Shearim Hametzuyanim Behalacha 98:16; Avnei Derech 388 See regarding the status of electricity on Yom Tov: Tzitz Eliezer 1:20-6; Achiezer 3:60; Keren Ledavid 144; Tzafnas Paneiach 1:273; Chazon Nachum 30; Michzeh Avraham 1:42; Maharshag 1:64; Levushei Mordechai Tinyana 91; Chelkas Yaakov 1:51; Even Yikarah 3:168; Sarei Hameiah 5:114; Matzor Devash 10; Mishpitei Uziel 1:19; Piskeiy Teshuvos 502:2; Or Yitzchak 2:17