Automatic Light on Shabbat
Question
I am staying in an apartment building abroad, and when people walk through the hallway leading out of the building, the light turns on. Will it be forbidden for me to go in and out of the building on Shabbos because of this?
Answer
Shalom uVracha,
Indeed, it is forbidden for you to go in and out in a way that causes the light to turn on because of you.
You may go out when the light turns on because of a non-Jew who passes there for his own need.
It is also permitted to call a non-Jew and ask him for something, and then you may pass. This leniency applies only when the non-Jew does not know that you are calling him in order for the light to turn on.
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