KollelBoker: Causing a Motion Detector to Turn on a Light

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Vol. 1 Iss. 41

פרשת שופטים

Dvar Torah

By: RabbiGoldman

The gemara (9b) says that "Vasikin"(those who are extremely devoted) would make sure to daven Shmoneh Esreh at sunrise.
The halacha is that a person can daven from a much earlier time which is "Amud Hashachar". However it is prefferable to wait until sunrise. There is an advantage to say "selichos" at a very early time in the morning (during the time of the year that selichos are said). However the selichos can definately be said later on also.

The Mogen Avraham (89) discusses a situation when there is a conflict. During the days when selichos are said before shacharis people must decide when to say selichos and when to daven shacharis.There are three options. If they go to shul for an early selichos because they want to fullfill that mitzva in the best way possible. Then they have two options for when to daven shacharis. Either they can daven right after selichos which would be after "Alos Hashachar" or they can daven at sunrise. The advantage of davening right away is that it is much easier for everybody. However it is not the most appropriate time to daven. However to wait for sunrise is really difficult. The third option is to wait to say selichos until closer to sunrise so that they can daven at the appropriate time and it will also be convenient. The Mogen Avraham discusses how to figure out which of these options are the best. (Stay tuned).

Dvar Halacha

By: R' Chananya Berman

Question:
Can I walk in front of a house that has a motion detector which activates a light, on Shabbos?
Discussion:
If a person owns such a device he should make sure to deactivate the motion detector before Shabbos. Doing this will allow people to walk by with out any potential question.

If you know that there is a certain house which has such a device then that house should be avoided. However, if it is impossible or will cause an inconvenience to people, one may rely on those poskim (Shevet HaLavi 9:69) that permit walking past the sensor.

The rationale for this lenient opinion is as follows. The Torah only prohibits a milacha that comes with the intent of doing a milacha. In this case there is absolutely no intention to turn on the light. So even though it is a psik raisha (it will definitely happen) one would still be allowed to pass in front of the sensor.

Note: The difference between this and an electric door is that in the case of the door one wants the door to open. In this situation one does not want the light to go on. Theoretically if one would be walking on a country road and would appreciate the light going on then perhaps that would be a different situation.

For all practical questions please ask your Rav.