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Orthodox Jews floored by elevator decision

The number of steps an Orthodox Jew has to take to rest on the Sabbath has just been increased... by however many floors they need to climb or descend. To observe halacha,   Jewish religious law, the truly observant must do nothing that even resembles work. Even pushing a button on an elevator is forbidden because it starts an electric motor and the use of electricity constitutes work. In Israel, this has been gotten around for many by the installation of special "Sabbath elevators" that stop on every floor automatically. Even this has been controversial because it can be argued that the increase in weight when a person steps in an elevator causes more electricity to be used. Now, for the followers of at least one rabbi, the arguing is all over. A decision has been made.

 

Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, a 99-year-old Israeli rabbi with thousands of followers, ruled last month that the use of even "Sabbath elevators" is forbidden. Now, devout Jews who wish to respect Rabbi Elyashev's decree must use the stairs on Sabbath even if they live on the top floor of one of Jerusalem's high rise apartments. Hospitals, hotels and other facilities that cater to the orthodox may also be affected.

 

Here, as reported by ABC News, are two of Rabbi Elyashev's other controversial decisions:

 

"In September, he proclaimed Jews could not wear Crocs shoes on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, because they were deemed too comfortable for the somber fasting holiday.

 

In 2004, Elyashiv prohibited religious women from wearing Indian-made wigs because the hair may have been used in idol-worshipping ceremonies, which are forbidden under Jewish law. Religious women cover their heads with wigs or cloth as a sign of modesty."

 

What it takes to observe Jewish law is debated endlessly and the followers of one rabbi may not necessarily obey the decisions of another. No action or detail, however, is too small to be discussed by these scholars. Here's another example (also from ABC News):

 

"A debate a decade ago by another leading rabbi concluded that nose-picking was allowed on the Sabbath. It was under discussion because nose hairs may be plucked out in the process, and cutting hair on the Sabbath is outlawed."

 

Photo Credit:

1) Two religious Jewish women wait for the elevator at the Mamilla mall just outside Jerusalem's Old City (AP photo taken by Tara Todras-Whitehill Oct. 22, 2009)

 

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