Is It Permitted to Ask a Non-Jew to Turn On Lights on Shabbat?

Last Shabbat, the electricity went out in our house. My sister called the non-Jew who helps on Shabbat (“Shabbos goy”) and asked him to flip the switch back on. She claimed that many people do this. I argued that for Sephardic Jews this is a halachic problem because we are stricter about giving instructions to a non-Jew on Shabbat. Who was right?

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You’ve raised an excellent and very practical question. Many Sephardic Jews mistakenly assume that a “Shabbos goy” is a blanket solution for any problem that comes up on Shabbat. (Among Ashkenazim, there are certain leniencies based on the Rema in Siman 276, who permits asking a non-Jew to turn on a light for the sake of a mitzvah in a case of great need — but even there, people often misuse the leniency, and every case must be checked with a qualified rabbi.)

Following is a clear and concise explanation focused on practical halacha rather than extensive sources.

A. The Basic Halacha: Forbidden to Benefit From a Light Lit by a Non-Jew for a Jew

The Tur and Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 276) rule that it is forbidden to benefit from a light turned on by a non-Jew specifically for a Jew. The source is the Gemara in Shabbat 122a, and the Tosafot explain that:

• The prohibition applies even to someone for whom the non-Jew did not turn on the light.

• If the non-Jew performs melacha for a Jew, the Jew may not benefit from that melacha, even if he did not witness it happening.

Practical application:

• It is forbidden to ask a non-Jew — even through hinting — to turn on a light for a Jew.

• If one did ask, and the non-Jew turned it on, the Jew must leave that room and may not benefit from the light.

• BUT if the non-Jew turned on the light on his own initiative, without being asked:

  • One does not need to leave the house.

  • But one must not benefit from that light (e.g., cannot read using that lamp).

This applies to everyone, even to those for whom the light was not turned on.

B. Hinting Indirectly for a Mitzvah: When Is It Allowed?

There is debate among the poskim regarding “shvut d’shvut” (two rabbinic-level actions) for the sake of a mitzvah.

The bottom line practical ruling is that if a power outage occurs and the house becomes dark and:

• it is very difficult to make Kiddush or eat in the dark,

• or Shabbat pleasure and Torah study are significantly affected,

then one may act as follows:

Permitted method:

Invite a non-Jew to the home and ask:

• “Would you like something to eat or drink?”

If he answers yes, say:

• “I’m sorry, I can’t bring it — it’s dark here.”

He will naturally understand and turn on the light for his own needs, and the Jew may then benefit from it.

If after turning on the light, the non-Jew wants to turn it off, the Jew may say:

• “You don’t need to turn it off,”

This is the correct halachic method.

C. Cannot Sleep With the Light On? You May Hint

If someone genuinely cannot sleep with the light on, one may say to a non-Jew:

• “It is hard to sleep when the light is on.”

This is allowed because:

• It is only a hint, not a command.

• This is especially permitted when there is a sick person or a postpartum mother (yoledet) in the house.

The non-Jew will understand and turn off the light.

D. Shul or Yeshiva Power Failure on Shabbat or Yom Kippur

If electricity goes out in a synagogue during Ma’ariv, Shema, or tefillah — one may ask a non-Jew to turn on the lights for the sake of the many.

Even though the Shulchan Aruch generally does not permit asking a non-Jew except in cases of double-rabbinic prohibitions (shvut d’shvut), the poskim write that for a communal mitzvah, one may rely on the lenient opinion.

This also applies in a yeshiva, where Torah learning would be interrupted.

Some recommend using a double-step process:

• Jew A asks the non-Jew:

  • “Please ask that non-Jew over there to help with the light.”

In summary, it is forbidden to

• Ask a non-Jew to turn on/off electricity for your benefit.

• Benefit from electricity they turned on for you.

It is permitted to

• Benefit when the non-Jew turned on the light for themselves.

• Hint indirectly:

  • “It’s hard to sleep with the light on.”

• Use permissible hinting methods for a mitzvah, such as Kiddush, Tefillah, Public needs and Torah learning

For synagogues, yeshivas, and communal mitzvot, it is permitted to ask a non-Jew directly.