What is Sabbath Mode?

Sabbath Mode: A Short Guide

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This page explains the basics in simple words. It is not a halachic ruling.
Whenever in doubt, consult your local Rav.

What is Sabbath Mode?

A special setting on some appliances. It changes how the appliance reacts when you use it, so it can be used on Shabbos and Yom Tov within the guidelines of halacha.

Note: the Sabbath Mode does not allow you to turn the appliance on/off on Shabbos and does not allow you to use the appliance completely at will, either on Shabbos or Yom Tov. Follow the certification's usage guidelines or consult your local Rav.

On a Refrigerator or Freezer

What a Certified Sabbath Mode typically does on a refrigerator or freezer:

  • Lights, displays, icons, beeps and alarms do not go on or off when you open the door.
  • The compressor and fans do not start right away when the door opens. (There is a built-in delay).
  • Defrost runs on a clock, not by counting door openings.
  • The ice maker and water dispenser are turned off.

On an Oven

What a Certified Sabbath Mode typically does on an oven:

  • The oven stays on at the temperature you set before Shabbos.
  • The usual 12-hour automatic shut-off is turned off.
  • Lights, display, icons, and beeps do not change while you use it.
  • In some models, the bulb must be unscrewed, or the light left on for the entire period.

On an Oven: Shabbos vs. Yom Tov

The name “Sabbath Mode” on ovens can be confusing. It might better be called “Yom Tov mode,” because most of what it allows is for Yom Tov (holidays), not Shabbos.

On Shabbos:

  • All food must be fully cooked and placed in the oven before Shabbos.
  • The oven temperature may not be turned on/off or adjusted on Shabbos, even in Sabbath Mode.
  • Once you take food out, you may not be able to put it back in.
  • On many models you may need to cover the oven controls. (Check Star-K’s guide or consult your local Rav.)
  • Depending on the type of Sabbath Mode, it might make a difference how many times you’re allowed to open the oven door during Shabbos. Star-K writes that even with the Certified Sabbath Mode, the door may be opened only once, all the food removed and then closed. (Check Star-K’s guide or consult your local Rav about this issue).
  • With the GE Shabbos Keeper (Certified by the OU & CRC), opening or closing the door changes nothing, so you can take food out and come back for more all through the meal.

On Yom Tov:

  • This is when the other Sabbath Mode features come in.
  • Food may be put in during Yom Tov, even food that is not yet cooked.
  • In Star-K’s Certified Sabbath Mode there is a built-in delay before a temperature change takes effect. However, Poskim disagree on whether this may be used to change the temperature on Yom Tov. Consult your local Rav about it.
  • With the GE Shabbos Keeper (Certified by the OU & CRC), you could set the oven before Yom Tov to switch between warm and bake on its own, up to 350°F before each meal.

Types of Sabbath Mode

How you set it:

  • Manual: You set it yourself with the buttons every Friday afternoon and before each Yom Tov, and turn it off afterwards.
  • Automatic: An add-on such as the “Enhanced Shabbos Mode” on GE’s Shabbos Keeper (certified by the OU and CRC) has the Jewish calendar built in. It turns Sabbath Mode on Friday before sundown and off Saturday night, and does the same for Yom Tov. It works only with compatible GE refrigerators and ovens.

How it works:

  • Star-K Certified Sabbath Mode (Refrigerators): Opening the door doesn't turn on lights, display, tones, alarms or fans. A built-in delay stops the compressor from starting right after the door opens. Defrost runs on a clock, not on door openings; ice and water are turned off.
  • OU/CRC ‘Enhanced Shabbos Mode’ (GE Shabbos Keeper on Refrigerators): Door switches/sensors get no power at all, so the fridge doesn't detect the door. Compressor, fans, and cooling run on a timer, not on usage. Inside lights stay on, dimmed. It has a built-in Jewish calendar which turns on the Sabbath Mode automatically 90 minutes before sunset every Friday or Erev Yom Tov, and turns it off automatically 90 minutes after sunset on Saturday (or Motzei Yom Tov).
  • Star-K Certified ‘Sabbath Mode’ (Ovens): Oven won't shut off after 12 hours. Lights, displays and tones stay off. Food needs to be cooked and placed into the oven before Shabbos. You’re not allowed to change temperature or turn oven on/off during Shabbos.
  • For Yom Tov: Oven won't shut off after 12 hours. Lights, displays and tones stay off. You could place uncooked food into the oven during Yom Tov. (Temperature setting has a built-in delay. Consult your local Rav about changing the temperature on Yom Tov).
  • Star-K ‘Sabbath Compliant’ (Ovens): Models listed by Star-K as ‘Sabbath Compliant’ have the same basic features as ‘Sabbath Mode’ but no built-in delay. Food needs to be placed inside the oven before Shabbos. On Yom Tov you are allowed to place uncooked food inside the oven. But you need to set the temperature before Shabbos/Yom Tov and not turn it off or change it. (These models don’t have a built-in delay, and no one holds that you could change the temperature on Yom Tov).
  • OU/CRC ‘Enhanced Shabbos Mode’ (GE Shabbos Keeper on Ovens): Uses two separate modes for Shabbos and Yom Tov. On Shabbos, the oven will go into an automatic warm mode. Food needs to be cooked and placed inside the oven before Shabbos. The door can be opened any time. On Yom Tov the oven will automatically cycle between warm and bake schedules, so fresh food can be cooked during Yom Tov.

Good to know
  • The Sabbath Mode feature does not allow you to adjust or turn the appliance on/off during Shabbos, and does not allow you to use the appliance completely at will, either on Shabbos or Yom Tov. (Always follow the certification's usage guidelines or consult your local Rav).
  • “Sabbath Mode” on a spec-sheet does not automatically mean that it is “Certified” by any Kashrus organization.
  • The same company may manufacture certified and uncertified models. Always check the owner’s manual if it’s a ‘certified’ Sabbath Mode and who certifies it.
  • An uncertified Sabbath Mode may or may not do the same functions as a certified Sabbath Mode, depending on the appliance and on the model number. Always refer to the owner’s manual or consult your local Rav.
  • Some refrigerators will go out of Sabbath Mode automatically after a pre-set time (if you don’t do it manually), but some manufacturers set them to 48 or 72 hours, which can be a problem for Yom Tov (especially if it’s 2 days Yom Tov + Shabbos). Make sure to check the owner’s manual or our “Sabbath Mode Lookup” to find out about your model.
  • There is a manual way to turn the lights off in a refrigerator that does not have a built-in Sabbath Mode. Click here to follow our picture tutorial guide to keep the light from turning on when you open the door.

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