One might think that it is an elevator that works only on Saturdays. But is it that, or something similar?

Shabbat Elevator has nothing to do with the above. This is an elevator mode in which the cabin stops automatically and sequentially on all floors allowing users to use it without pressing any buttons.

According to the Jewish law, on Saturdays the believer is forbidden to perform a number of tasks including pressing the buttons of the elevator.

Shabbat elevators can be found in areas of large Jewish population, in Israel, the United States, Canada, Australia, Ukraine (Dnipro), Argentina, and Brazil, especially in large hotels.

The use of the Shabbat Elevator is an example of circumvention of the Law, according to which, acts that seem prohibited can be implemented using technology. The use of these elevators by those who can use the stairs is considered by many rabbis to be a violation of the Law. However, the use of Saturday lifts is a great convenience for older Jews, but also for all ages, especially when it comes to tall buildings.

source: wikipedia

 
 
What is a Shabbat Elevator?
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