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Shabbat at a hotel.
How does one do it without breaking Shabbat? Everything nowadays seems to be electric/ automatic…the flush of the toilet, the atomatic water that comes out of the faucet when it senses something, automatic papertowel with a wave of a hand, etc.
Anyone know the halachot?
i love coffe
This should get you started but please confirm with your Rabbi
Before choosing a hotel for Shabbat, you can ask them about the facilities and discuss the needs of the kosher consumer. Many hotels understand and can accommodate. When we were in Venice we had electronic keys in a very old antique style hotel. On Shabbat, the concierge came up with us to open the door. That happens in many hotels, the guard, maid, or concierge/front desk staff will open the door for you.
As far as the hotel door, etc. we told the front desk that we will wait outside so they can open the automatic doors for us when they see us, etc. If you do your own histadlus before you go or when you get there before Shabbos, there should be no problem. Ask for a low floor so you don’t have to worry about climbing too many steps on Shabbos and don’t worry about public bathrooms, just go back to use your own.
I went to a hotel in Atlantic City for Shabbos and had no problem, I left my card key at the front desk while I walked to shul and when I returned one of the staff members understood they had to open my door. In the hotel room there was nothing muktza, check out the hotel before you go. Also if your going with a group, they usually take care of these technical stuff.
But you can’t ask a goy directly to violate Shabbos for you.
By the Agudah Convention last year, many people stayed in the Holiday Inn Express. Before Shabbos, we spoke to the management and they agreed to help us in any way they can.
They covered the sensors by the front doors so the doors stayed open. When we had to get in our rooms, there was someone who had a master key willing to come up with us. They allowed us to use crock pots in our rooms as long as they were safe. They let us bentch lecht in a room on the first floor. They really tried to do everything we asked.
If you speak to them beforehand, they will want to help you.
Everyone had very good suggestions. Another tip is to put a piece of cardboad or tape on the inside of the door so that it isn’t really locked. That way you could come and go as you please.
Also when walking out of the lobby just wait for someone to go through the automatic doors and you just follow them really close.
The bathrooms never have automatic flushing or automtic sinks in the room, so no problem there.
Just make sure to leave off all the lights in room before shabbos and to leave on the light in the bathroom.
Be sure to leave a note for the housekeeping staff not to turn out the lights when they make up the room. Last year the staff did me a big a favor and blew out my yahrzeit candle. I had carefully put it on a saucer in the kitchen sink of our suite.
Put out your DO NOT DISTURB sign so housekeeper does not enter your room on Shabbos.
Ben Torah asked But you can’t ask a goy directly to violate Shabbos for you.
From Don’t Miss the Boat:
Halachic Guidelines of Kosher Cruises
Rabbi Zvi Goldberg, Star-K Kashrus Administrator
Winter 2004, Updated Spring 2010
as aries2756 said:
Put out your DO NOT DISTURB sign so housekeeper does not enter your room on Shabbos.
That is a very good tip. (You also may have to be concerned about any food left in your hotel room. [Ask your Posek…])
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