Using a Shabbat Elevator or Escalator

Using a Shabbat Elevator or Escalator Day: Tuesday Date: December 15, 2015 Parshat: Vayigash Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 345 Strictly speaking, it is permissible to use a Shabbat elevator to go up and down on Shabbat. To be clear, a Shabbat elevator is one that stops, opens, and closes at every floor without any human intervention whatsoever. One should be careful though to not enter the elevator once the doors start to close since that will cause them to open again. Where possible it is better not to use the elevator to go down. It is also permissible to use an escalator on Shabbat, although where possible it is better to avoid using it. Obviously, an escalator that only turns on when someone approaches may not be used. DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org