Properly built: what does it take to build a kosher technological home?

The development of technology also greatly affects the new construction, which creates a challenge for Sabbath-keepers who have difficulty using the garbage compactor, entry coder, security cameras and even opening the water tap.

Why you should pay attention and when to make the adjustments to save costs.

Guest column

Rabbi Menachem Perl

27/12/2021

Monday, 27 December 2021, 12:46 Updated: 13:15

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Even if we do not consider all those who define themselves as traditional, it is clear that for a very broad public of people keeping the Sabbath is important, probably in their own private home.

We all enjoy the pleasures of technology that makes our lives much more comfortable. But if in the past we used mechanical aids mostly, and the electric ones were in the minority, today more and more aids in our environment are electric and sophisticated. This makes the Sabbath its observers, a more complex day in the living environment.

The Central Bureau of Statistics examined the self-determination of Jews over the age of 20 on the basis of religious level. It was found that 10.1% define themselves as ultra-Orthodox. 11.3% define themselves as religious. 12.3% are traditionally religious and 21.1% define themselves as not-so-traditional. Even if we do not consider all those who define themselves as traditional, it is clear that for a very broad public of people keeping the Sabbath is important, probably in their own private home.

An electric coder at the entrance to the building, lighting influenced by motion sensors, sensors in the garbage shaft that operate a compressor and water heating that is no longer done only with the help of a solar water heater.

Even opening the water tap can create a problem for Sabbath keepers because the water reaches the high apartments through pumps and also the measurement is done by digital water meters.

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On the front side - a standard mechanical lock (Photo: ShutterStock)

Shabbat costs money

How, then, can Sabbath-keepers build a kosher house today? Will they have to move to housing in separate neighborhoods tailored to their needs? Or will entrepreneurs lift the glove and adapt the living environment to Sabbath-keepers as well? It is clear that a Sabbath-keeper will prefer to purchase an apartment tailored to his needs and be willing to pay more for it than a little more view from the window. In such a situation both the contractors and developers as well as the Sabbath keepers will benefit from the new situation.

It is important to know that despite the many problems, there are solutions to all the problems. The solutions meet the requirements of halakhah and do not burden the environment and the public who are not interested in these adjustments. In addition, their cost is low and almost non-existent. All this is true, as long as the adjustments are made during the planning stages of the building, and not after the completion of construction and occupancy.

The digital water meters sold in Israel today have, for the most part, adapted to the requirements of halakhah.

Pressure pumps with variable frequency and the creation of a 'virtual consumer' will not consume more energy than almost other pumps, and are ordinary pumps for everything.

Instead of the simple energy-consuming electric heater, green 'heat pumps' can be used so that each tenant can adjust the 'Saturday mode' of his private heat pump to his needs.

The stairwell lighting can be left very low.

The LED bulbs available today do not need much energy to illuminate the area.

On the side of the electric entrance coder, it is possible to install a standard mechanical lock, such as the one we have in Israel in the doors of the hotel rooms, 'Shabbat key' and distribute it to Shabbat observers.

The digital water meters, for the most part, adapted to the requirements of Halacha (Photo: Yachz)

Instead of the simple energy-consuming electric water heater, green 'heat pumps' can be used, so that each tenant can adjust the 'Saturday mode' of his private heat pump to his needs.

The garbage compactor will work at pre-planned regular times, as will the Shabbat elevator we are all familiar with.

In general, automation, aimed from before Shabbat or the holiday, that will serve its users on Shabbat, is usually the default.

As we learn to adapt the technology that surrounds our living environment to all its users, we will be able to open the housing market to a much wider public and create equality for the general public.

The need for change is clear and the solutions already exist.

Now the contractors and developers also need to understand the need for change and the potential of the market that lies within it and offer the religious public housing solutions tailored to their needs, without hurting the general public and without hurting the price of the apartment.

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