Halachically Certified Scooters Make Shabbat and Yom Tovim Enjoyable for the Mobility Impaired

Halachically Certified Scooters Make Shabbat and Yom Tovim Enjoyable for the Mobility Impaired

By: Michelle Nevad, Israel Jewish News

When Hashm blesses some people with the intellect and creativity to find halachic solutions to improve lives, it is a reason for celebration!

Apparently Amigo has been making the Shabbat Amigo Scooters for over five years, but I had never heard of them until I read this article. I'm sure it will be news to many of you as well. And it isn't just one scooter that has this option, they have a whole line of scooters that can be fitted with the "Shabbat Mode."

I know that these scooters will make it possible for many disabled, elderly, and frail individuals to live full lives, to be part of their communities, and to enjoy Shabbat as it should be enjoyed--with friends and family!

I know there will be those who think they are smarter than our halachic authorities, and who will, out of ignorance, think it would be better for a disabled person to sit alone in their homes on Shabbat rather than attempt to involve themselves in the community, but I believe that Hashm made the Torah for us to direct our lives, not to punish us and make our lives impossible!

Disabled people don't just need us, we need them! They are our friends, our mothers, our fathers, our grandparents, children, and even our rabbis!

If something is within the law, it is within the law! G-d bless this company for having the insight to design a scooter than can be used!

Scooter on!

Enjoy life!

See you in Synagogue!
M

The Jewish Week: The Shabbat Scooter
by: Rabbi Jason Miller

It truly is remarkable how modern technology can be used to allow those challenged by a disability to maintain the laws of Shabbat. The article focuses on Balkin, whose "worsening neurological disorder has made walking more than a few steps nearly impossible." Now, thanks to the "Shabbat Scooter" from Michigan-based Amigo Mobility International, he can get to synagogue on the Sabbath guilt-free.

Since the article was published yesterday, I have been inundated with questions on Facebook and Twitter about how this scooter actually operates so that it's "kosher" for use on Shabbat. All agreed that it's great that technology has removed this barrier for observant Jews with disabilities, but they wondered how it works.
The key factor in the scooter's acceptability is the differentiation in Jewish law between a direct and indirect action on Shabbat. For instance, according to the laws of Shabbat, a Jewish person may not intentionally extinguish a flame, but if he opens the window and the wind blows out the flame he has not violated the law. In a 2005 article in the Saginaw News, Rabbi Yisrael Rozen of the Zomet Institute explains the need to apply this leniency. "The law does not allow Jews to intentionally carry out non-Sabbath activities under the principle, but it does provide exceptions for people in dire need. Health is among those needs. While not life-threatening, physical disabilities are a legitimate need that may allow a person to use the principle of indirect action for driving a scooter on the Sabbath."
So, based on this principle, how does the scooter operate? I received an explanation from Mike LaBrake, Amigo Mobility International's director of operations:

There is a Shabbat/Normal switch on the Amigo. It is spring loaded and the toggle lever must be lifted before it can be switched to a different position so the user cannot accidentally switch the Amigo back to Normal mode during the Shabbat period... read more.

The Detroit News: Kosher scooters help Jews keep faith
Mich. company's device gets disabled Orthodox followers to synagogue
By: Oralandar Brand-Williams, The Detroit News
Photo by: Clarence Tabb Jr., The Detroit News

Michael Balkin observes traditional Jewish practices, but walking to services has been difficult for the past 20 years.

A worsening neurological disorder has made walking more than a few steps nearly impossible for the 59-year-old West Bloomfield resident. But in recent years, things have improved for Balkin, thanks to a motorized -- and perfectly kosher -- scooter.

"Now I'm able to do whatever and go to Shul and do whatever I want and how I want," said Balkin.