Halakha of The Shabbat Lamp
There are various Jewish laws governing Shabbat lamps that allow them to be used during Shabbat.
The lamp itself is muktzah during Shabbat, and therefore, it cannot be moved from its location where it is placed. However, the component that is used to open or close the light is not attached, and under Jewish law, has the status of a lamp shade, which can be moved during Shabbat in order to control the amount of light that is exposed.
Shabbat lamps are lit by and only accept a compact fluorescent lamp. These bulbs do not contain electrical filaments like those found in incandescent light bulbs, and therefore, according to some rabbinical authorities, do not constitute a fire, but rather, an electrical appliance that is permissible to move in order to change the location in which it is being used or to free up its space, provided that it is not accidentally unplugged. Regardless, during a Yom Tov that does not coincide with Shabbat, the lamp may be moved if it is not unplugged, as moving a candle on such a day is permitted.
The compact fluorescent lamp that must be used also has the benefit of using a minimal amount of energy, as the lamp must remain on for a period of at least 25 hours.
Read more about this topic: Shabbat Lamp
Famous quotes containing the word lamp:
“... people were so ridiculous with their illusions, carrying their fools’ caps unawares, thinking their own lies opaque while everybody else’s were transparent, making themselves exceptions to everything, as if when all the world looked yellow under a lamp they alone were rosy.”
—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)