Israel is moving to the use of “Kosher” electricity. Yes, you heard that right. There really is such a thing as kosher electricity.
Israel’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, MK Israel Katz, will submit a decision-making proposal to the government, which is intended to accelerate the establishment of supplemental electricity generation and the facilities needed in order to store such electricity.
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This electricity will then be made available for use in the areas of Israel where there is a demand for “kosher electricity” on Shabbat, the Sabbath.
O.K.! So, why?
Well, Jewish law prohibits the use of electricity on the Sabbath, as well as the generation of electricity. So, orthodox Jews do not use it on Shabbat. Only timers are used – set before the start of the Sabbath – to turn lights on and off and any other devices needed on the Sabbath day.
But this leads to another problem. When electricity is used the power plants produce new energy to replace it. This means that someone at the power plant is not only working on the Sabbath, but is also violating Jewish law by creating the new power on Shabbat. While not such a problem around the world, this does create a problem in Israel where the people working at the power plants are Jews.
So, Israel’s ultra-orthodox political parties have pushed for such changes. If energy is stored during the week for use on Shabbat there will be no need to produce new electricity on Shabbat.
Authorities in Israel also pointed out that today some religious people, in order to avoid this problem, provide themselves with electricity by using generators. But these pose a great safety hazard to users.
The government said the regulation for kosher electricity and the pilot of the electric company will be formulated so that there will be no increase in the cost of electricity as a result of these moves.
Minister Katz said, “The decision before us is significant news that will benefit all the public in the State of Israel. Contrary to claims in various places, the electricity tariff will not increase, and the decision was made in accordance with the policy I lead – while maintaining the principles of social sensitivity and competition in the economy. Accelerating the construction of energy storage facilities is essential and required for the ever-increasing demand throughout the developing cities, and will increase the use of renewable energies.”
“Along with this, the general public in Israel will finally be able to consume electricity that is not generated on Shabbat,” he added, “without this posing a safety hazard and serious environmental damage. I would like to express my appreciation to the people of the Electricity Authority for their professional work, and I am certain that the current initiative will improve the quality of life of many Israelis who wish to consume kosher and clean electricity.”
