“Sorry, there is no way you can avoid motion sensors. I understand that Jewish law doesn't allow you to turn on lights on Shabbat, but the law is clear. The law doesn't allow for religious accommodation. I would love to help, but my hands are tied.”
As we work on the Capital Campaign and the Chabad Building, we've encountered some unexpected twists and turns. One challenge we faced was the discovery of a law requiring motion sensors for all lights, to reduce energy consumption. This law presents a problem for Shabbos observance, as it's not allowed to turn on lights on Shabbos according to Jewish law.
However, we're pleased to report that, with the help of State Delegate Mike Griffith, the State Attorney General's office, Rabbi Ariel Sadwin from Agudath Israel of Maryland, and the Baltimore Jewish Council, we've made progress. A new law has been passed, allowing local jurisdictions to seek guidance from the Attorney General's office to accommodate Shabbos observance. This means that we can find alternative ways to reduce energy consumption, such as using preset timers.
We're grateful to live in a country that values religious freedom and allows us to observe Shabbos. Even if you're not Shabbos observant, consider making a commitment to avoid using light switches on Shabbos. Many lights can be set to turn on or off automatically, and some ovens have a Shabbos mode that prevents them from beeping or staying on indefinitely.
As a side note, the Baal Shem Tov taught that every experience or encounter is an opportunity to learn and grow in our service to G-d. One takeaway from this story is the importance of intentionality. If we want to bring light into the world, we must be intentional in our actions.
Have a good Shabbos,
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman
