<html><head></head><body><div class="ydpb4c354f3yahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Found the following on ChatGPT (AI) in seconds. Can't vouch for its accuracy. But worthy of note:</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><h3 data-start="139" data-end="165">Halachic Perspectives</h3>
<h4 data-start="167" data-end="217">1. <strong data-start="175" data-end="215">Automatic Toilets and Kavod HaBriyot</strong></h4>
<p data-start="218" data-end="683">A Q&A on <em data-start="227" data-end="237">MiYodeya</em> (Judaism Stack Exchange) cites <strong data-start="269" data-end="288">Rabbi Josh Flug</strong> (Sukkot To Go 5770), who permits using an automatic-flush toilet <strong data-start="354" data-end="402">if no other restroom is reasonably available</strong>, relying on <em data-start="415" data-end="432">kavod ha-briyot</em> (human dignity). He even suggests that if the non-electric alternative is too inconvenient, it may be permissible under the principle of <em data-start="570" data-end="598">psik reisha d’lo nicha lei</em> (an inevitable act one does not benefit from) <span data-state="closed"><span class="ydpe1ecc796ms-1 ydpe1ecc796inline-flex ydpe1ecc796max-w-full ydpe1ecc796items-center ydpe1ecc796relative" data-testid="webpage-citation-pill"><a href="https://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/99656/use-of-an-automatic-toilet-on-shabbos?utm_source=chatgpt.com" class="ydpe1ecc796flex ydpe1ecc796h-4.5 ydpe1ecc796overflow-hidden ydpe1ecc796rounded-xl ydpe1ecc796px-2 ydpe1ecc796font-medium ydpe1ecc796transition-colors ydpe1ecc796duration-150 ydpe1ecc796ease-in-out" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mi Yodeya</a></span></span>.</p>
<hr data-start="685" data-end="688">
<h4 data-start="690" data-end="750">2. <strong data-start="698" data-end="748">Explicit Prohibition: Automatic Sensor Toilets</strong></h4>
<p data-start="751" data-end="1106">On the other hand, <strong data-start="770" data-end="810">Mekorot from Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu</strong> clearly state that sensor-activated toilets—where one’s movement automatically completes a circuit and triggers flushing—are <strong data-start="936" data-end="949">forbidden</strong> on Shabbat <span data-state="closed"><span class="ydpe1ecc796ms-1 ydpe1ecc796inline-flex ydpe1ecc796max-w-full ydpe1ecc796items-center ydpe1ecc796relative" data-testid="webpage-citation-pill"><a href="https://harav.org/books/https-harav-org-books-https-harav-org-books-https-harav-org-books-mahamar_mordechay_shabat_118/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" class="ydpe1ecc796flex ydpe1ecc796h-4.5 ydpe1ecc796overflow-hidden ydpe1ecc796rounded-xl ydpe1ecc796px-2 ydpe1ecc796font-medium ydpe1ecc796transition-colors ydpe1ecc796duration-150 ydpe1ecc796ease-in-out" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">אתר הרב מרדכי אליהו</a></span></span>. This aligns with mainstream halachic views, which forbid activating electrical appliances even indirectly.</p>
<hr data-start="1108" data-end="1111">
<h4 data-start="1113" data-end="1172">3. <strong data-start="1121" data-end="1170">Technical Explanation: "Molid" and "Building"</strong></h4>
<p data-start="1173" data-end="1482">Halachic authorities, such as on <strong data-start="1206" data-end="1220">Chabad.org</strong>, explain that completing an electrical circuit constitutes a prohibition—either <strong data-start="1301" data-end="1313">building</strong> (<em data-start="1315" data-end="1322">boneh</em>) or <strong data-start="1327" data-end="1339">creating</strong> (<em data-start="1341" data-end="1348">molid</em>)—and is therefore forbidden on Shabbat, even without a direct action such as pressing a button <span data-state="closed"><span class="ydpe1ecc796ms-1 ydpe1ecc796inline-flex ydpe1ecc796max-w-full ydpe1ecc796items-center ydpe1ecc796relative" data-testid="webpage-citation-pill"><a href="https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1159378/jewish/Electricity-on-Shabbat.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com" class="ydpe1ecc796flex ydpe1ecc796h-4.5 ydpe1ecc796overflow-hidden ydpe1ecc796rounded-xl ydpe1ecc796px-2 ydpe1ecc796font-medium ydpe1ecc796transition-colors ydpe1ecc796duration-150 ydpe1ecc796ease-in-out" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chabad</a></span></span>.</p>
<hr data-start="1484" data-end="1487">
<h4 data-start="1489" data-end="1523">4. <strong data-start="1497" data-end="1521">Halachipedia Summary</strong></h4>
<p data-start="1524" data-end="1834">A summary from Halachipedia notes that <strong data-start="1563" data-end="1651">many poskim permit automatically flushed toilets only if no alternative is available</strong>, citing them as an <strong data-start="1671" data-end="1691">indirect (grama)</strong> action that doesn’t deliver direct benefit—or at least falling under leniency in pressing circumstances <span data-state="closed"><span class="ydpe1ecc796ms-1 ydpe1ecc796inline-flex ydpe1ecc796max-w-full ydpe1ecc796items-center ydpe1ecc796relative" data-testid="webpage-citation-pill"><a href="https://halachipedia.com/index.php?title=Electricity_on_Shabbat&utm_source=chatgpt.com" class="ydpe1ecc796flex ydpe1ecc796h-4.5 ydpe1ecc796overflow-hidden ydpe1ecc796rounded-xl ydpe1ecc796px-2 ydpe1ecc796font-medium ydpe1ecc796transition-colors ydpe1ecc796duration-150 ydpe1ecc796ease-in-out" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halachipedia</a></span></span>.</p>
<hr data-start="1836" data-end="1839">
<h4 data-start="1841" data-end="1893">5. <strong data-start="1849" data-end="1891">Concept of “Pesik Reisha” Applies Here</strong></h4>
<p data-start="1894" data-end="2187">Further halachic discussion, for example on Toraland, indicates that <strong data-start="1963" data-end="2026">activating such a device via walking near it without intent</strong> still constitutes a prohibited action—<em data-start="2065" data-end="2094">pesik reisha d’lo nicha lei</em>—and is thus disallowed even absent direct interaction <span data-state="closed"><span class="ydpe1ecc796ms-1 ydpe1ecc796inline-flex ydpe1ecc796max-w-full ydpe1ecc796items-center ydpe1ecc796relative" data-testid="webpage-citation-pill"><a href="https://www.toraland.org.il/%D7%9E%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%A0%D7%94-%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%94/%D7%A9%D7%91%D7%AA/%D7%92%D7%93%D7%A8%D7%99-%D7%94%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A1%D7%95%D7%A8-%D7%91%D7%93%D7%9C%D7%AA-%D7%97%D7%A9%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%AA-%D7%95%D7%A9%D7%90%D7%A8-%D7%97%D7%99%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%91%D7%A9%D7%91%D7%AA-%D7%AA%D7%92%D7%95%D7%91%D7%94/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" class="ydpe1ecc796flex ydpe1ecc796h-4.5 ydpe1ecc796overflow-hidden ydpe1ecc796rounded-xl ydpe1ecc796px-2 ydpe1ecc796font-medium ydpe1ecc796transition-colors ydpe1ecc796duration-150 ydpe1ecc796ease-in-out" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span class="ydpe1ecc796relative ydpe1ecc796start-0 ydpe1ecc796bottom-0 ydpe1ecc796flex ydpe1ecc796h-full ydpe1ecc796w-full ydpe1ecc796items-center"><span class="ydpe1ecc796flex ydpe1ecc796h-4 ydpe1ecc796w-full ydpe1ecc796items-center ydpe1ecc796justify-between"><span class="ydpe1ecc796max-w-full ydpe1ecc796grow ydpe1ecc796truncate ydpe1ecc796overflow-hidden ydpe1ecc796text-center">toraland.org.il</span><span class="ydpe1ecc796flex ydpe1ecc796h-full ydpe1ecc796items-center ydpe1ecc796rounded-full ydpe1ecc796px-1">+1</span></span></span></a></span></span>.</p>
<hr data-start="2189" data-end="2192">
<h3 data-start="2194" data-end="2212">Summary Table</h3>
<div class="ydpe1ecc796_tableContainer_1rjym_1"><div class="ydpe1ecc796_tableWrapper_1rjym_13 ydpe1ecc796group ydpe1ecc796flex ydpe1ecc796w-fit ydpe1ecc796flex-col-reverse"><table data-start="2214" data-end="2715" class="ydpe1ecc796w-fit"><thead data-start="2214" data-end="2243"><tr data-start="2214" data-end="2243"><th data-start="2214" data-end="2225" data-col-size="md">Scenario</th><th data-start="2225" data-end="2243" data-col-size="md">Permissibility</th></tr></thead><tbody data-start="2274" data-end="2715"><tr data-start="2274" data-end="2409"><td data-start="2274" data-end="2328" data-col-size="md">Sensor-flush toilet available <em data-start="2306" data-end="2327">and no other option</em></td><td data-col-size="md" data-start="2328" data-end="2409">Possibly <strong data-start="2339" data-end="2352">permitted</strong> under kavod ha-briyot / indirect (grama) justification</td></tr><tr data-start="2410" data-end="2536"><td data-start="2410" data-end="2465" data-col-size="md">Sensor-flush toilet available but alternatives exist</td><td data-col-size="md" data-start="2465" data-end="2536"><strong data-start="2467" data-end="2480">Forbidden</strong>, as it involves activating electricity—even passively</td></tr><tr data-start="2537" data-end="2620"><td data-start="2537" data-end="2575" data-col-size="md">Sensor activation via mere presence</td><td data-start="2575" data-end="2620" data-col-size="md"><strong data-start="2577" data-end="2591">Prohibited</strong>, as <em data-start="2596" data-end="2610">pesik reisha</em> applies</td></tr><tr data-start="2621" data-end="2715"><td data-start="2621" data-end="2655" data-col-size="md">Non-electric alternative exists</td><td data-start="2655" data-end="2715" data-col-size="md"><strong data-start="2657" data-end="2681">Use that alternative</strong> to avoid halachic transgression</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div>
<hr data-start="2717" data-end="2720">
<h3 data-start="2722" data-end="2746">Recommended Approach</h3>
<ol data-start="2748" data-end="3258">
<li data-start="2748" data-end="2807">
<p data-start="2751" data-end="2807"><strong data-start="2751" data-end="2788">Prefer non-electric flush toilets</strong> whenever possible.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="2808" data-end="3061">
<p data-start="2811" data-end="3061">If you <strong data-start="2818" data-end="2846">must use a sensor toilet</strong> and <strong data-start="2851" data-end="2879">no alternative available</strong>, some authorities permit reliance on <em data-start="2917" data-end="2934">kavod ha-briyot</em>—especially if it’s the only restroom option—though this remains a more lenient position <span data-state="closed"><span class="ydpe1ecc796ms-1 ydpe1ecc796inline-flex ydpe1ecc796max-w-full ydpe1ecc796items-center ydpe1ecc796relative" data-testid="webpage-citation-pill"><a href="https://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/99656/use-of-an-automatic-toilet-on-shabbos?utm_source=chatgpt.com" class="ydpe1ecc796flex ydpe1ecc796h-4.5 ydpe1ecc796overflow-hidden ydpe1ecc796rounded-xl ydpe1ecc796px-2 ydpe1ecc796font-medium ydpe1ecc796transition-colors ydpe1ecc796duration-150 ydpe1ecc796ease-in-out" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mi Yodeya</a></span></span><span data-state="closed"><span class="ydpe1ecc796ms-1 ydpe1ecc796inline-flex ydpe1ecc796max-w-full ydpe1ecc796items-center ydpe1ecc796relative" data-testid="webpage-citation-pill"><a href="https://halachipedia.com/index.php?title=Electricity_on_Shabbat&utm_source=chatgpt.com" class="ydpe1ecc796flex ydpe1ecc796h-4.5 ydpe1ecc796overflow-hidden ydpe1ecc796rounded-xl ydpe1ecc796px-2 ydpe1ecc796font-medium ydpe1ecc796transition-colors ydpe1ecc796duration-150 ydpe1ecc796ease-in-out" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halachipedia</a></span></span>.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="3062" data-end="3139">
<p data-start="3065" data-end="3139"><strong data-start="3065" data-end="3094">Walk away from the sensor</strong> promptly, to minimize unintended triggering.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="3140" data-end="3258">
<p data-start="3143" data-end="3258">Consult your <strong data-start="3156" data-end="3184">local rabbinic authority</strong> for practical guidance tailored to your community and specific situation.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<hr data-start="3260" data-end="3263">
<h3 data-start="3265" data-end="3280">Bottom Line</h3>
<p data-start="3282" data-end="3639">While some posit leniencies based on <strong data-start="3319" data-end="3336">human dignity</strong> or <strong data-start="3340" data-end="3363">indirect triggering</strong>, the prevailing view is that <strong data-start="3393" data-end="3464">activating electric sensors—even passively—is prohibited on Shabbat</strong>. If absolutely necessary, a sensor toilet may be used under specific restrictive circumstances—but it's far better to seek or prepare non-electric alternatives when possible.</p>
<p data-start="3641" data-end="3801">Would you like sources for specific communities or rabbinic authorities who ruled leniently—or guidance on what to do when you're at a hotel or public facility?</p>
<div>Let me know—happy to dig deeper!</div></div><div><br></div><div class="ydpb4c354f3signature">Want Emes and Emunah in your life?
Try this: http://haemtza.blogspot.com/</div></div>
<div><br></div><div><br></div>
<div id="ydpb4c354f3yahoo_quoted_5907189433" class="ydpb4c354f3yahoo_quoted">
<div style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">
<div>
On Sunday, August 17, 2025 at 11:15:55 PM CDT, Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer via Avodah <avodah@lists.aishdas.org> wrote:
</div>
<div><br></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><div id="ydpb4c354f3yiv2704467668"><div>
<p>Do you have a reference for the heter for electric flush toilets?
Thanks!</p>
<div id="ydpb4c354f3yiv2704467668yqtfd24696" class="ydpb4c354f3yiv2704467668yqt8284967308"><div class="ydpb4c354f3yiv2704467668moz-cite-prefix">On 8/15/2025 8:05 AM, mcohen--- via
Avodah wrote:<br clear="none">
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
</blockquote></div></div><div id="ydpb4c354f3yiv2704467668yqtfd57898" class="ydpb4c354f3yiv2704467668yqt8284967308"></div><div><div id="ydpb4c354f3yiv2704467668yqtfd90404" class="ydpb4c354f3yiv2704467668yqt8284967308"><font face="arial" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0;padding:0;font-family:arial;font-size:12pt;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.09px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">May
(one should) lchatchila build a below grade pump toilet
knowing that it</span><br clear="none" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.09px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">
<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.09px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">will
be used on Shabbat?...</span></p>
<p style="margin:0;padding:0;font-family:arial;font-size:12pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin:0;padding:0;font-family:arial;font-size:12pt;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.09px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">the
poskim are matir to use electric flush toilets bc of kavod
habrius<br clear="none">
(hospitals, etc)</span></p>
<p style="margin:0;padding:0;font-family:arial;font-size:12pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin:0;padding:0;font-family:arial;font-size:12pt;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.09px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">this
should be the same. (electric use is only d'rabbanon.
ignoring CI)</span></p>
<p style="margin:0;padding:0;font-family:arial;font-size:12pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin:0;padding:0;font-family:arial;font-size:12pt;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.09px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">therefore
it can be built.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0;padding:0;font-family:arial;font-size:12pt;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.09px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">
<br clear="none">
then on shabbos..</span></p>
<p style="margin:0;padding:0;font-family:arial;font-size:12pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin:0;padding:0;font-family:arial;font-size:12pt;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.09px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">if
its needed bc of kavod habrius, one can use it. <br clear="none">
if one has an alternative - dont use it</span></p>
<p style="margin:0;padding:0;font-family:arial;font-size:12pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin:0;padding:0;font-family:arial;font-size:12pt;"> </p>
<br clear="none">
<fieldset class="ydpb4c354f3yiv2704467668moz-mime-attachment-header"></fieldset>
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