In an urgent meeting, leading halachic authorities convened at the home of Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Dov Landau to address growing concerns surrounding modern technological appliances and their impact on Shabbos observance.
The meeting was prompted by alarming new information about everyday electrical devices — including water pumps — which, without proper halachic oversight, may involve serious chilul Shabbos.
Rav Landau opened the session with a strong and emotional call to action: “We must cry out ‘Shabbos!’ People are violating severe prohibitions!”
Participating in the meeting were various respected halachic voices: Rav Shmuel Eliezer Stern, Gaavad of Western Bnei Brak and head of Shaarei Horaah; Rav Yitzchok Mordechai Rubin, author of Orchos Shabbos; Rav Shevach Tzvi Rosenblatt, Chief Rabbi of Bnei Brak; Chief Rabbi Rav Dovid Lau; Rav Menachem Mendel Lubin of Ramat Aharon; and Rav Shmuel Yosef Shtitzberg of the Mishmeres HaShabbos institute, led by its chairman, Rav Eliahu Cohen Beifus.
Rav Landau expressed astonishment at the widespread leniency regarding such critical matters, saying, “How can we treat these things lightly when they involve clear violations of Shabbos? How can someone purchase a home without knowing whether the water pump is halachically approved?”
The discussions focused on the halachic severity of modern water pumps. “With anything technological, one must be vigilant,” Rav Landau emphasized, “and certainly when it comes to water pumps.”
Rav Yitzchok Mordechai Rubin addressed the gathering, stressing the need for heightened awareness to prevent unintentional Shabbos desecration. Expressing his gratitude to Rav Beifus and Mishmeres HaShabbos director Rav Ariel Cohen for their work, he added with a touch of humor: “If not for them, Shabbos observers might still be cooling food with ice cubes like in the old days…”
Delving deeper into the topic, Rav Rubin explained, “Today’s water pumps, if not carefully supervised, operate using motors that actively draw water.” When asked whether this falls under the category of psik reisha d’nicha lei, Rav Rubin responded unequivocally: “This is direct intent.” He noted that the problem is especially severe in high-rise buildings.
Rav Landau offered a sharp critique of current attitudes: “People just want it to be permissible, no matter how. They say, ‘Just take care of it for us,’ because they don’t like the word ‘assur.’”
Rav Beifus, chairman of Mishmeres HaShabbos, delivered a detailed overview of the organization’s efforts, noting, “We act only in situations with no halachic doubts and ensure every device meets the highest standards of lechatchilah without any hesitation.”
Rav Shmuel Yosef Shtitzberg highlighted the crucial need to examine modern electric appliances closely. “I can testify that Rav Beifus studies each device for weeks and months,” he said. “You cannot decide these matters without a Rav who both knows the halachah and understands the current technology. There are those who rely on outdated rulings that simply don’t apply anymore. Comparing today’s devices to what existed fifty years ago is a serious error.”
The discussion shifted to contractors who install water pumps that do not meet halachic standards. Rav Shtitzberg suggested the need to raise awareness among contractors, but Rav Landau insisted the public must be addressed first. “If the public becomes informed,” he explained, “contractors will be forced to adapt and follow the guidelines of Mishmeres HaShabbos.”
Rav Landau spoke with passion and urgency: “People are violating serious issurim.” He contrasted this with the cautious way people treat gebrokts, saying, “With gebrokts, people say, ‘I don’t eat it.’ But here, they say, ‘There are those who are lenient.’”
Rav Shmuel Eliezer Stern added his voice in support of the efforts being made to protect Shabbos. “Mishmeres HaShabbos protects Klal Yisroel. Every new stringency shields us from ‘leniencies’ that cannot be allowed.”
Chief Rabbi Rav Dovid Lau praised Rav Landau’s meticulousness, saying, “The Rosh Yeshiva is exacting with every letter — this is heavenly work, where every letter makes a difference. How much more so when it comes to the 39 melachos, where every category has numerous subcategories…”
{Matzav.com Israel}