The American Conservative Movement’s 25-rabbi Committee on Jewish Law and Standards recently debated driving to synagogue on the Sabbath — which is prohibited by Jewish religious law. Ten of the rabbis were in favor, six voted against, five abstained, and four did not attend. The discussion also considered the use of electric cars for that purpose. Needless to say, Orthodox rabbis most likely would have voted against. Reform Judaism is not opposed to the practice.
— The Times of Israel
Click on the links below for a variety of opinions on this vexing issue — which may become even more complicated in the future by the advent of self-driving cars and cars operated solely by human thought. And then there’s the invention of “Kosher Kars.”
Quote: ““The challenges to the use of cars on Shabbat according to Jewish law are extensive: One might travel beyond the borders of one’s community, for example, or be tempted to perform repairs, both prohibited on Shabbat. But the biggest obstacle for the cars that most American Jews were driving in 1950 and today is that gas-combustion engines create fire in the course of ignition. The rise of the electric car offers a widely accessible way to drive without creating fire.”
— The Times of Israel
Learn more about driving on Shabbat from Wikipedia. ►
Read “Conservative rabbis endorse use of electric cars on Shabbat, still divided on driving” ►
Read “Rabbis pass motions both endorsing and condemning use of electric cars on Shabbat” ►
Read “Can We Drive a Car Using Our Brain on Shabbat?” ►
Here are more traditional viewpoints…
Watch “Is It Better to Drive to Synagogue on Shabbat or Stay Home?” [0:57]. ►
Watch “Can I Drive on Shabbos? — Ask the Rabbi Live with Rabbi Mintz” [2:48]. ►
Watch “OK to use Self Driving cars on Shabbos? — Ask the Rabbi Live with Rabbi Mintz” [3:38]. ►
And there’s a new development…
Watch “Kosher Kar” — the Car That Can Be Driven on Shabbos” [3:13]. ►
Photo: Shutterstock
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