The Beginner's Guide: What Is a Shabbat Clock and Why Do You Need It?

We have been blessed to recognize and taste a little of the sanctity of Shabbat, and we are making efforts to take our first steps toward observing this day properly.

The Creator of the world rested on this day, and asks us to rest from work. Therefore, on Shabbat, it's prohibited to operate electrical devices or turn lights on and off.

By avoiding the activation of electrical devices and lights on Shabbat, we can begin on the path to full Shabbat observance. A "Shabbat clock" is a simple and convenient device installed once by a qualified electrician and can be adjusted as needed. This clock determines at which times the lights in the house will turn on and off automatically without human intervention - ensuring everything is done in a kosher manner.

Indeed, on Shabbat, we do not manually operate or disconnect any electrical switch or device, but we are allowed to pre-schedule the electricity to turn on and off at times that are convenient for us.

The explanation for this is that the Torah forbids creating a new creation during Shabbat, but it doesn’t forbid pre-scheduling operations to occur on Shabbat. Therefore, although the action happens on Shabbat, the person didn’t cause it to occur, and therefore using a "Shabbat clock" is permitted.

On Friday, before lighting the candles, we open our home's electrical panel and set the clock to "operate" mode, ensuring that the times it displays fit our needs. After Shabbat, we return the electrical panel to "weekday" mode until the next Shabbat.

Tips for Using a Shabbat Clock:

1. Make sure to ask the installing electrician to ensure there is lighting in the home, particularly in the hallway and bathrooms, that is not connected to the Shabbat clock at all, so that even when the Shabbat clock turns off the electricity, there will still be enough light in the house to get up in the middle of the night if needed and move around comfortably.

2. It is advisable to keep the bedrooms in darkness throughout the Shabbat so that we can fall asleep in the dark even before the Shabbat clock turns off the lights.

3. It is recommended to turn on the lights in the living room, kitchen, and dining area on Friday evening and set the clock to turn them off at night and turn them back on the following morning.

4. In addition to a central Shabbat clock, there is also a plug Shabbat clock that can be connected to devices like a fan, air conditioner, heater, electric hotplate, etc. These devices should also be pre-set to operate and turn off at times most convenient for you.

After several Shabbat experiences using a Shabbat clock, you'll know how to use it according to your needs in the most comfortable and suitable manner so that all household members are satisfied and enjoy a wonderful, warm, illuminated, calm, and energy-efficient Shabbat.

More contents about observing Shabbat:

How to Observe Shabbat Properly

Lighting Shabbat Candles