Is Charging Devices On Shabbat Breaking The Law?
Is Charging Devices On Shabbat Breaking Torah Law? A Deep Dive into the Scriptures
Shabbat, the sacred day of rest commanded by God, is a cornerstone of Torah law. It is a day set apart from the rest of the week, a time to cease from labor and reconnect with the Creator. But in today’s digital age, where our lives are intertwined with technology, many believers wonder: Is charging devices on Shabbat breaking Torah law?
To answer this question, we must turn to the Old Testament and the words of Jesus, carefully examining what Shabbat truly means, what constitutes work, and whether using electricity aligns with or violates God’s commandments.
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Understanding the Shabbat Commandment
Shabbat is first mentioned in Genesis 2:2-3, where we see that God Himself rested after creating the heavens and the earth:
> "And on the seventh day God finished His work that He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." (Genesis 2:2-3)
This divine rest was later enshrined in the Ten Commandments:
> "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work..." (Exodus 20:8-10)
The commandment is clear: Shabbat is holy, and work must cease. But what exactly does "work" mean in the context of charging electronic devices?
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What Is Considered Work on Shabbat?
The Torah defines specific prohibitions for Shabbat, including:
Kindling fire (Exodus 35:3)
Plowing and harvesting (Exodus 34:21)
Carrying loads (Jeremiah 17:21-22)
Buying and selling (Nehemiah 10:31)
The prohibition against kindling fire has been widely debated in modern times. Is electricity considered fire? Traditional Jewish teachings equate the striking of a fire with the creation of an electric current. This raises a question: Does charging a phone, laptop, or any other device violate this commandment?
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Jesus and Shabbat: What Did He Teach?
Many believers turn to Jesus' words and actions to understand the true meaning of Shabbat. Jesus never abolished the Sabbath, nor did He teach that it should be ignored. Instead, He restored its purpose—as a gift from God rather than a burden.
One of the most powerful statements Jesus made about Shabbat is found in Mark 2:27-28:
> “And He said unto them, ‘The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of Man is Lord also of the sabbath.’” (Mark 2:27-28)
Here, Jesus reminds us that Shabbat was designed for the benefit of humanity—a time for rest, renewal, and spiritual connection. However, does that mean we can use technology freely?
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The Debate Over Electricity and Shabbat
Many scholars and Torah-observant believers hold different views regarding the use of electricity on Shabbat:
1. The Strict Interpretation: Charging devices is forbidden because electricity is considered akin to kindling fire (Exodus 35:3). Some also argue that turning on a device completes an electrical circuit, which is equivalent to building or creating, a form of work.
2. The Permissive Interpretation: Others argue that since electricity does not create an actual flame, it does not violate the Torah prohibition against kindling fire. They point to Jesus' teachings, emphasizing the spirit of the law rather than rigid legalism.
3. The Middle Ground: Some believers prepare for Shabbat by charging their devices before sundown and using them in Shabbat mode (e.g., dimmed screens, no typing, no unnecessary scrolling) to avoid engaging in distracting labor.
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Examples from the Old Testament: What Can We Learn?
The prophet Isaiah gives a strong warning about honoring Shabbat properly:
> “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD...” (Isaiah 58:13-14)
Isaiah teaches that Shabbat is not just about refraining from work but also about shifting our focus to God. If using devices distracts us from that purpose, should we reconsider?
Another relevant example comes from Nehemiah 13:15-17, where the prophet rebuked those who carried burdens and conducted business on Shabbat:
> "In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals." (Nehemiah 13:15)
Nehemiah’s concern was about Shabbat being treated like any other day—a warning that resonates today when technology dominates our time and thoughts.
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Shabbat in the Modern World: Practical Solutions
If you're wondering how to honor Shabbat while navigating the digital age, consider these practical steps:
Charge Devices Before Shabbat: If you rely on a phone or tablet for emergency communication, ensure it’s fully charged before sundown.
Use Shabbat Mode Features: Many modern devices allow settings that minimize unnecessary interaction on Shabbat.
Prioritize Rest and Worship: If your device use distracts from Shabbat’s purpose, consider setting it aside for the day.
Ask: Is This Necessary? Before charging a device, reflect on whether it aligns with honoring the day.
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Final Thoughts: Does Charging Devices on Shabbat Break Torah Law?
The answer depends on how one interprets Torah law and Jesus’ teachings. If electricity is seen as kindling fire or engaging in creative labor, then charging a device would be prohibited. However, if one follows the principle that Shabbat was made for man’s benefit (Mark 2:27), then limited and intentional use might be acceptable—so long as it doesn’t distract from the sacred purpose of the day.
Ultimately, each believer must prayerfully seek wisdom from the Scriptures, ensuring that their observance of Shabbat is done in a way that honors God and aligns with His commandments.
> “Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.” (Isaiah 56:2)
Shabbat Shalom!
