Moving a Switch on Shabbat | Sheilot

Moving a Switch on Shabbat

Question

1. I have touch-sensitive light switches at home that detect the touch of a finger, and I have the option to disable them so that they do not turn on the lamp, but as I understand it, they still detect the touch.
Is it permitted to touch them on Shabbat?
2. What about physical switches that do not turn anything on — is it permitted to press them on Shabbat?
(If they do not even detect the pressing at all)

Answer

Shalom u’vrachah.

1. One should check with the manufacturer whether touching it after it has been disabled has any significance, and what the touch activates while it is disabled. 

2. It is forbidden to move a switch even when it is disconnected, because of muktzeh.  

Answered 7 July 2026 How answers are reviewed
Answered by
Answers questions at Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Smicha "Yoreh-Yoreh" (2012), Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Orach Chaim, Yoreh Deah
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