Light sensors cause religious row

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

Story here.

Maybe they should just move?

[FlappyTheBat]

So, they move into a property that has a shared entrance and presumably a stairwell, that is for 35 other flats.

They can not have the lights on during their Sabbath or religious holidays.

I only hope IF they are successful, that they have very good insurance because if someone was to have an accident falling down an unlit stair, I would think they would be sued.

I agree that they should move, it does seem a little bit, dare I say it, selfish of them.

After all, if the lights are automatic, it isn't as if they are personally using them?

[MaryAnnSingleton]

by walking past the sensors though they are in effect switching them on

[Goblinchild]

The council should ask advice from the Religious Court, forgot what the proper name is.
It might well rule that as the occupants are not switching them on themselves, it's OK.
Sometimes religious individuals think they're following the rules, when in fact they may have misinterpreted them. Need a proper ruling.

[MaryAnnSingleton]

they can have lights on, just not switch them on themselves..which is why religious Jews have timers for things like lights,tv,cookers etc

[MaryAnnSingleton]

they can have lights on, just not switch them on themselves..which is why religious Jews have timers for things like lights,tv,cookers etc

[FlappyTheBat]

So, if they are admitted to hospital, do they have to ask for electrical equipment/lights to be switched off as well?

[MaryAnnSingleton]

nooo, they mustn't switch on lights..there can be lights - they don't live in the dark during the Sabbath

[FlappyTheBat]

Would this be an acceptable solution to problem then, the lights go on a timer and are on permanently from Friday until Sunday morning?

From the way it has been reported, you would assume that no electrical equipment is allowed to be switched on.

[MaryAnnSingleton]

yes,that'd be acceptable, but then someone would probably grumble about the waste of electricity !

[ravenAK]

But they aren't switching them on.

They are walking past sensors which are making the lights come on. It's a side effect, surely?

If you can have timers I really don't see why you can't have sensors.

& I definitely don't see why everyone else has to suffer for their peculiar superstitions. They should move if it's such a big deal.

[MaryAnnSingleton]

their walking past activates sensors to turn the lights on, so to them it is the same as pressing a switch. I don't think you can judge them as 'peculiar superstitions'

[Chuffinnora]

The report says it is a holiday flat - I'm sure full time flat owners must love this couple!

[Rachmumoftwo]

But surely by setting a timer for the Sabbath, they are effectively turning the light on then too?

[mumblechum]

Agree with RavenAK.

If they win their case I'll eat my umbrella

[edam]

Of course they should move. Selfish gits. They can do whatever they like inside their own flat but have no right to impose their beliefs on their neighbours OR to threaten them with costly legal action.

[morningpaper]

Seems very unfair actually - they offered to pay for an over-ride switch (so I assume they could just leave them on) but the housing company refused this. I think they are right and should be allowed to have an over-ride switch.

[FlappyTheBat]

That's obviously why they have a holiday flat as they must not be able to go away to hotels over the Sabbath for fear of accidentally switching on something electrical.

[morningpaper]

then they would fall down the stairs

I fear the Jewish culture may not have lasted very long if they spent a whole day every week feeling their way down staircases