By Eytan Kobre, Louisville, Kentucky

Practically since the invention of the first
refrigerator in the early 1900s, its use on Shabbos
and Yom Tov raised complex halachic issues,
and next-generation technology has made the
challenges seem insurmountable. Until General
Electric Appliances took an unprecedented step
in corporate America, partnering with leaders at
the intersection of halachah and technology to
integrate halachic modes into their entire product
line. A visit to their sprawling Louisville plant was
a lightbulb moment…

Read More….. 

Rabbi Nahum Z. Rabinowitz – OU Kosher

Shabbos mode which exists with many oven appliances only makes certain changes to the oven function.  It does turn off the led readout and it does turn off the the light,  the oven light,  which is activated when you open and close the door. It does not have an auto shut off.

Most ovens will shut off after a number of hours of use perhaps 12 hours.  In Shabbos mode, that is deactivated so that the oven will continue to run through a Shabbos or through a Yomtov.  In addition to that sometimes it does create certain delays in the way the  oven functions the introduction of the GE Shabbos keeper for ovens represents a significant upgrade to the existing Shabbos mode and ovens both in terms of Shabbos observance without compromise and convenience.

Consumers one can take out food on shabbos leave food inside and come back and retrieve additional food as one goes through his meal one goes through courses from the night time into the daytime one can come back multiple times to the oven without any questions and that that is a really a problem for the Shabbos mode that exists otherwise.

The Shabbos Keeper which GE with Zman Technologies and Rabbi Ortner have developed is something which takes us well beyond what what the existing devices do so talking about what the Shabbos Keeper is actually doing and operating the machine over here will break it apart to two parts once it’s the convenience part of it again it’s automated before Shabbos before Yomtov. It disables all the buttons on the screen and lets you let you use the oven with no worry about that.

The most important thing is the flames which is an actual fire very serious concern for Shabbos is being automated on both levels the auto shutoff that is happening when you open or close the door it’s being deactivated so when you open or close the door nothing is actually happening.

Also the temperature-based cycles of the flames is being automated with a special technology that we work together with GE engineers and Zman technology is automating a way that you opening or closing the door also not affecting the on and off duration of the of the element so when you open across the door you don’t affect anything in the oven.

That  being said, you’re getting automatically a warm set temperature for the entire Shabbos automatically every other Shabbos we also added cooking windows for Yomtov so when Yomtov arrives you can have a few hours in the night meal and a few hours in the morning meal and get into bake mode which is around 350.  Everything is automated for you to use automatically from before Shabbos and Yomtov.

Rabbi Ortner as director of the OU’s Halacha and Technology department continues to work with GE and other companies to develop solutions to allow us as technology advances in our world as innovation continues to progress to keep the holy Shabbos and Yomtov and and have the convenience of doing so in a way that that works with with all the developments of technology.

GE Appliances CEO Kevin Nolan discusses the company’s recent change of hechsher, his relationship with Zman Technologies, and the HISTORIC first-time alliance between the Orthodox Union (OU) and Hisachdus HaRabbanim (CRC) to halachically improve the method of Shabbos mode in appliances.

The Orthodox Union (OU) and Hisachdus HaRabbanim (CRC) form a first-time alliance to halachically improve the method of Shabbos mode

Q&A with Rabbi Tzvi Ortner
OU Director of Technology

Q: Did Star-K remove GE certification because of non compliance?
A: No

Q: Are GE appliances kosher certified?
A: Yes. GE is currently certified under the OU and CRC/Hisachdus.

Q: Does this transition mean there are changes to the built-in Sabbath mode?
A: No, for now the built-in Sabbath mode will stay the same, but please check the Star-K website regarding how many times they allow the door to be opened on Shabbos.

Q: Are all GE ovens now OU/CRC certified?
A: No. Ovens with the previous built-in Sabbath mode are not compliant with OU/CRC halacha standards. Only ovens with Enhanced Shabbos mode are approved for use by the OU/CRC and over time will replace the regular Sabbath mode.

Q: Does Enhanced Shabbos mode require the usage of Zman Technologies Shabbos Keeper?
A: Currently, yes. However over time, many ovens with GE’s built-in Sabbath mode will transition to a built-in Enhanced Shabbos mode. Please visit www.zmantechnologies.com for details and updates.

Q: I own/ I am looking to purchase a new GE oven. What should I do now?
A: If you own a GE oven or are looking to purchase one, it may already be compatible with the Shabbos Keeper Enhanced Shabbos mode. Visit www.zmantchnologies.com for current lists  or contact customer support with a model number for more information.

Q: The operation and usage of an oven on Shabbos and Yom tov involves many halachic issues, such as flame cycles, sensors, auto shut-off and more. Does the the Enhanced Shabbos mode take care of every one of these issues or only some of them?
A: Yes, Enhanced Shabbos mode was specifically designed by a team of technical and halacha experts to completely solve all of the above mentioned issues. OU/CRC certified models are tested in special labs to ensure full compliance.

Q: I own a GE oven with the Shabbos Keeper Enhanced Shabbos mode. Am I limited to the number of times I’m allowed to open the door on Shabbos?
A: No. Unlike existing Shabbos modes, Shabbos Keepers Enhanced Shabbos mode allows the oven door do be opened and closed without limitations.

Q: When my oven is in Enhanced Shabbos mode, am I allowed to place food into the oven on Shabbos?
A: Although the controls are deactivated, an oven may not be used differently than a blech or hot plate. Cooking or baking on Shabbos is of course not permissible.

Q: What about on holidays?
A: Opening and closing the door, as well as baking and cooking on holidays is permitted. For convenience, Shabbos Keeper is designed to raise the temperature automatically at certain times to enable cooking on Yom Tov..

Q: Who should I call with questions?
A: Contact Zman Technologies or call the OU consumer hotline at 212-613-8241

For the last few years, GE Appliances has been working in full partnership with Zman Technologies and Rabbi Tzvi Ortner to provide the best Shabbos solutions for the Jewish consumer.
All GE cooking appliances when used with Shabbos Keeper remain certified kosher for use on Shabbos and Yom Tov under the OU, CRC-Hisachdus Harabonim- according to the strictest halacha standards.

Shabbos Keeper by Zman Technologies uses an Enhanced Shabbos Mode to ensure appliances are strictly kosher for use on Shabbos and Yom Tov.
Above the standard Sabbath mode requirements, Enhanced Shabbos Mode automates heating elements and flames to ensure user activity has no affect on the appliance or it’s functions.
This allows the oven door to be opened and closed as many times as necessary throughout Shabbos and Yom Tov – even while the oven is running. This is a first time breakthrough achievement that was never possible until today.
Also unlike standard Sabbath modes, Enhanced Shabbos Mode completely controls door switches (including safety shutoff), lights, buttons and sensors so that no electronics are affected by the user.

Of course Shabbos Keeper also syncs with the Jewish calendar to automate Shabbos mode each week and every Yom Tov- for the next 30 years. This ensures there are no mistakes and you never forget to put your appliance in Shabbos mode.

Each of our certified appliances undergo thorough quality control procedures, field testing, and kosher lab-testing at GE Appliance Park in Louisville KY to ensure strict halachic compliance. It is our high kashrus standards that earned Shabbos Keeper certification from three top-tier kosher agencies and approval from many other community rabbonim.

Shabbos Keeper now supports more than 30 GE ovens. Over the next few months, look out for additional support across the full GE brand lineup including GE, Profile, Café and Monogram. These will include wall ovens, slide in, pro-ranges and more.

Zman Technologies will continue to provide you with the highest levels of Shabbos compliance in the appliance industry.

For more information visit our ovens page at www.zmantechnologies.com or contact us here.

The GE Appliances Shabbos Keeper for Ovens is the most advanced Shabbos-keeping device for ovens in the appliance industry.
Developed together with Zman Technologies, this break-through device makes the oven completely Kosher for use during Shabbos and Yom Tov while also syncing automatically with the Jewish calendar.
Each week and before every Yom Tov, the Shabbos Keeper automatically switches the oven into Shabbos Mode at the appropriate time and starts warming at 18 minutes before sunset.
Once Shabbos or Yom Tov is over, the oven will resume normal operation.
Using our kosher certified, Enhanced Shabbos mode technology, oven flames and heating elements are completely automated, while lights sensors, alerts, buttons, and other electronic features are completely disabled.
Unlike other manufacturers’ Shabbos modes, our Enhanced Shabbos mode allows the oven door to be opened and closed as many times as needed throughout the entire Shabbos or Yom Tov period. This allows food to be taken out incrementally for Friday night and Shabbos day.
Besides for Enhanced Shabbos mode, the Shabbos keeper is also designed with an automatic Yom Tov mode:
On Yom Tov, four hours before each mealtime, the oven temperature will automatically increase to 350°degrees so you can cook or bake as necessary, and after four hours, drop back down to warm for the rest of the day, so your kitchen does not overheat, and no energy is wasted.
Designed with complete rabbinical supervision, Shabbos Keeper is lab-tested for highest level Shabbos compliance and has earned certification from the O-U, the CRC, and Rabbi Tzvi Ortner
The Shabbos Keeper is easy to install, plus it’s compatible with select GE Appliances and GE Profile ovens, with more compatibility on the way.
The Orthodox Union stated: “Many attempts have been made to develop the perfect solution for using appliances on Sabbath – GE APPLIANCES is the first to produce real results.”

Partnership with ZMAN Technologies, Orthodox Union and Hisachdus Harabanim launches new line of 100% Kosher-Certified Appliances

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – GE Appliances, a Haier company, in partnership with ZMAN Technologies is now offering ovens and refrigerators that are 100% Kosher-certified when used in conjunction with the Shabbos Keeper. The new technology, certified by the Orthodox Union (OU) and Hisachdus Harabanim, overrides the usual everyday electrical operation of the appliance making it compliant with the rules of Jewish law during Shabbos and Yom Tov. This release is the first 100% Shabbos Kosher solution for ovens allowing even the strictest of observers the comfort of knowing they can cook, warm and store food in accordance with Jewish Law.

“As a company we’re always looking for ways we can come together to create good things for every home,” said Paul Surowiec, vice president of cooking at GE Appliances. “In this case, we not only brought several teams together internally, but we also worked closely with our external partners ZMAN Technologies and the world’s largest Kosher certification agencies to deliver a Shabbos Kosher-compliant solution and a separate Yom Tov solution for ovens. Thanks to this new technology, we can help even the most observant Orthodox Jews observe their religious beliefs and practices in the kitchen year-round.”

The Shabbos Keeper, which is sold separately, connects to an owner’s oven and refrigerator to automatically enable Shabbos-compatible modes each week and before every holiday. The Shabbos Keeper is preprogrammed through 2050, making it easy for the owner to stay in compliance. Once set, the Shabbos Keeper is programmed to automatically enter Enhanced Shabbos Mode 90 minutes before sunset Friday evening (to account for early Shabbos) and then revert to weekday mode 90 minutes after sunset on Saturday night.

“I personally certify the technology and oversee the lab testing,” said Rabbi Tzvi Ortner. “It took years to develop this technology and all Shabbos Keeper-compatible GE Appliances’ ovens and refrigerators have been lab tested, so people can feel confident that the appliances are compliant to the highest halacha standards.”

“ZMAN Technologies has been the trusted resource for products that integrate Shabbos observance and the practical use of electricity. We worked hand-in-hand with GE Appliances to ensure the end result was a product that was intuitive to use, convenient and most importantly reliable,” said Eli Antebi, Managing Director at ZMAN Technologies.

Unlike other appliance manufacturers’ Shabbos modes, this Enhanced Shabbos mode allows an oven door to be opened and closed as many times as needed throughout the entire Shabbos or Yom Tov period. Similar to a warming drawer functionality, this feature allows owners to take out some food while keeping other food or courses warm. In addition to the automatic warm and cooking mode, it disables the buttons on the appliance, and will adjust temperatures automatically during Shabbos and Yom Tov.

“We used a semi-open loop control to maintain a steady temperature of 350 degrees in bake mode while allowing the owner to open the oven door at any time,” said Amelia Hensley, director of cooking systems at GE Appliances. “The open loop control alternates the heaters within the oven, so as one heater turns off the other would turn on, and the cycle would then repeat.”

For refrigerator models, the Shabbos Keeper enables features like dimming the interior LED light, fan control and 72-hour battery back-up while ensuring the deactivation of the touch screens and water dispenser. All electronics in the refrigerators, including the compressor, are completely computer-controlled.

A wide range of GE Appliances oven and refrigerator models work with the Shabbos Keeper and are available at select retailers in New York, New Jersey and throughout the Northeast. For more information about the appliances, visit www.geappliances.com/shabbos. For information on where to purchase the Shabbos Keeper, visit www.zmantechnologies.com.