Published on February 29, 2024
The operation of electrical devices on the Jewish Sabbath is prohibited by Orthodox Jewish authorities. As such, Orthodox and other traditionally observant Jews therefore do not use electrical appliances on the Sabbath.
And some people like to use that as an excuse on Mondays in the office when they’ve gained weight and tell me “I can’t weigh and measure on shabbat” to which I respond, “It is, however, permitted to weigh things on Shabbos for a mitzvah purpose, and isn’t taking care of one’s health considered a mitzvah (a commandment from God to be performed as a religious duty)? And it is correct to weigh things before Shabbos, isn’t it.”
And that’s when I add: “So let me introduce you to your new friend, the mechanical scale.”
✅ They are portable; they don’t require power (no batteries, cords or outlets needed. (They are also of a size and weight that makes it easy to throw it into a bag if you won’t be in your own home for shabbat).
✅ They are easier to clean because they are not sensitive to water, and they are dishwasher safe — which allows for deep-cleaning and hot-sanitizing.
✅ They are inexpensive.
I’m sharing just two samples that resulted from an Amazon search, but you can buy a mechanical scale locally at Walmart and Target (and, if there’s one still open near you, Bed Bath & Beyond).
I have never owned a digital scale in my home; I prefer the mechanical, and I have two of them because I always want one available to me if the other is in the dishwasher.
Even if you prefer your digital food scale for all other days/times of the week, there is no excuse not to use a mechanical sale over Shabbat — as well as measuring cups and spoons — or, at the very least, get as much portion-controlled as you can before shabbos. If you are serious about the end goal — achieving and maintaining a slim, healthy weight for a lifetime, and working steadily toward that outcome — you cannot use portion control only during the week and then allow that habit to be interrupted at every shabbat.
As all clients know, I tell everyone every day “you must control 100% of the things you CAN.
And on Shabbos, you CAN.
Choose to do so.
