In recent years, the popularity of AirBnB has increased – a website and method that allows you to rent, usually for vacation or short-term stays, just about anything: from a room in a condominium to an entire mansion.
For the religious traveler, there is another significant advantage to AirBnB over a hotel: Those who rent a house usually get a kitchen and can prepare kosher food for themselves; they don't have to pay for a hotel breakfast, much of which is not kosher, and they are not subject to the constraints of hotels. It is also usually quieter on Shabbat.
Due to the site's rules, it is highly unlikely that you will encounter hostile treatment on religious grounds. A host who behaves in this way will find themselves kicked off the site and lose out greatly; of course, if someone makes up excuses in advance why they don't want you to sleep at their place – it is really better to look for another place and not insist on staying with someone who doesn't want you to stay at their place.
However, staying at an AirBnB also has challenges and problems that the religious traveler is not always aware of, and this guide addresses them. The Guide Not intended to be a book of halacha or to replace such a book – At the end of the guide there are references to Halacha books, alongside other guides intended for the religious traveler abroad. So if you are looking for an apartment suitable for religious people in Paris, this is the guide for you.
Kosher at AirBnB
Whether you rent a room in a shared house or an entire apartment, you will most likely need to use the kitchen. A room in a shared house is very problematic in this regard, because there is a good chance that someone else will be using the kitchen at the same time as you, which can create problems - someone could accidentally mess up your dishes, and the possibilities for confusion are many. Do not leave dishes unattended and mark them well in advance.
Even if we assume that you are renting an entire apartment, there are points to clarify, beyond questions such as which local food is kosher, what is your position on non-Jewish milk, and so on. You are also welcome to useKashrut Guide to Paris.
stove top
Find out what type of stove is in the apartment. If it is induction, keep in mind that you need special pots to use this type of stove, and this can limit you. You can, of course, try to choose places with gas stoves or regular electronic stoves only.
If you rented an apartment with an induction stove, you can either bring an induction-compatible pot from home (the bottom of the pot will have a coil marking) or bring a magnetic base designed to turn any pot into an induction pot. If you are stuck without such a pot, there are two options:
- Buy an induction-compatible pot. Although pots made by non-Jews require immersion, there is a solution for just such a situation: buy the pot and stipulate thatYou will win it definitively. Only after you have a place to immerse, and in the meantime, consider it a new borrowed vessel that you can use.
- Heat the hosts' induction cooker Without anything inside For maximum heat, leave it for a few minutes, then heat your pot בתוך The hosts' pot And continue cooking like that. In such a situation, the hosts' pot essentially becomes like the stove, and in any case you did a 'light incense' to it, and then your cooking is in the kosher vessel and everything is fine.
List of tools to bring
- Dairy pot/pan (remember to check for induction compatibility if needed)
- Meat pot/pan (as above)
- Frosted sharp knife
- Sharp meat knife
- Wooden spoon for mixing milk/meat
- Lots of disposable utensils (or a set of regular utensils)
- Meat and dairy scotch (very important, because you cannot use the landlord's scotch, it is presumed not to be kosher)
- Matches [mainly needed for Shabbat, and there's no point in buying a whole stock abroad. Don't forget to pack them in your suitcase and don't try to bring them with you in your carry-on, as this could cause trouble with security]. Alternatively, buy a lighter – you can find these in every city.
- Isolirband tamper evident (fabric adhesive tape) for a refrigerator sensor – if you go to any building materials store, and ask what it is. You don’t need the whole roll of course, but usually a few centimeters; but since a roll is not expensive and doesn’t weigh much, you can either take it or wrap a few turns of Isolirband as above around something and cut as needed. Later we will explain how to work with it.
- Magnet/magnetic strip for doors and refrigerator. Available in building materials stores. I recommend about two 10 cm strips of magnetic strip and, just to be safe, two round magnets, which are stronger but more prominent. If you may (later) need to magnetically open *both* a door and *also* a refrigerator, increase the number of magnets. Again, there is nothing special here. You may have to buy a whole magnetic roll and cut it yourself, but that is not very expensive either.
Homemade food
Fruit is not a problem, because there are no donations and tithes abroad, and although there is a certain amount of circumcision in fruits, according to scribes, but since this is done, doubt is alleviated, and the chances of encountering fruit that is definitely circumcision are slim. But what do we do about baked goods and jams, etc.
The fact that the hosts are not a commercial manufacturer is sometimes a reason for severity – for example, in the bread baking business (say, baguettes in France), it is easier to eat bread that has been prepared kosher by a bakery than bread baked by a private individual in their home, and that’s before the fact that a home oven is also used for non-kosher foods, unlike a bakery oven. The exact details vary depending on both location and custom, so check first. What is true – the problem can often be solved by, for example, helping to light the fire or with some other action in the kitchen.
Homemade jams will be problematic if they are made in a container that is also used for other things; but if you have a special pot for making jam and a special container for stirring the mixture, then the jam will usually be fine. This is provided that it is not red jam, which often uses wine, grape juice or other problematic substances.
Use of the hosts' kitchen utensils
It depends on what tools, what needs they have, and who they are for. What is written here is just general guidelines; check carefully before traveling what the halachic opinion you are following is.
As a general rule, you cannot use cooking utensils without sterilizing them; nor can you use plates and cutlery to eat hot food. If the utensils are clean and the food is cold and not spicy – no onions, no pickles, etc. – you can use the utensils, although of course it is better to bring your own or disposable utensils (for example, it is permissible to eat cornflakes with cold milk in the host/hotel’s bowl).
You can use a glass bowl to serve salad – provided it is free of onions and other spicy things (it is also a good idea to avoid seasoning with vinegar).
On a cutting board (after thorough cleaning) only for cold, non-spicy things.
Glass cups can be used for cold drinks, and Sephardim can also use them for hot drinks. Ashkenazim tend to be strict about glassware for hot drinks, but some allow it when it is clear that the cups are only used for tea/coffee and not for any non-kosher drink (soup, for example).
You can use a kettle or coffee maker (in most places the latter is replacing the former).
Dishwasher: Do not use your dishesAs a general rule, consult a rabbi about the specific details because dishwasher and its kosher status are not simple; and since, unlike your dishwasher at home, there is not much loss in not koshering plastic parts in a dishwasher in a rented apartment, not all the votes in koshering a dishwasher that belongs to you will be valid for temporary koshering. I'm also not sure you feel like taking apart the rubbers and cleaning them, etc., so in most cases it's better to simply avoid using the dishwasher.
Saturday in an AirBnB apartment
Location and floor
When you book an apartment on AirBnB and stay there on Shabbat, besides the fact that you should like the apartment, it is very important to consider its location - and altitude.
What is meant by?
The point is, you need to think about the main places where you are Need Be on Shabbat. If you plan to eat Shabbat meals at a Chabad house - is the apartment close to there? If you will pray at another synagogue, how far is the apartment from the synagogue? Is the greatest distance you will have to walk reasonable for walking in the shoes you will wear on Shabbat?
Apart from this, it is worth considering the question: is this a neighborhood that is nice to walk around in the dark, since you will certainly return relatively late on Saturday night.
How do you check a location? Using Google Maps and Google Street View. the first one Allows you to choose a starting and ending point (or several points) and get a walking route between them.
programmer Google Street View Allows you, in most major cities around the world and many smaller towns and cities, especially in Western countries, to find a specific address and see what it looks like from the street. This helps in several ways:
- If you want to compare the photos provided by the homeowner with the actual appearance of the environment;
- To find out in advance what floor the apartment is on (by comparing what you see from the window to a picture from street level – for example, if you see an advertising sign above a store from the window, you can know that the apartment is on a low floor),
- In many cases, to understand which key a complex/building has (below)
Apartment floor Very important. In an apartment abroad, you will have to walk up to the apartment. Let's say, if there is an excellent apartment on the 20th floor - it may be excellent, but do you really want to go up two or three times on Shabbat, twenty floors at a time, to your excellent apartment, and go down twenty floors every time you want to leave?
Therefore, it is essential to always check and ask explicitly which floor it is. Some landlords, by the way, especially in areas with a large Jewish population, will know why you are asking because this is not the first time they have encountered a tenant who observes Shabbat; there were landlords who explicitly told me that the apartment would probably not be suitable on Shabbat.
After choosing the location of the apartment, the following issues should be considered:
Keys, codes and entry to homes
The use of magnetic cards or electronic codes to open doors is becoming more and more common, not only in hotels, but also in private homes. This of course creates quite a few problems. While there are opinions that allow this method in times of emergency under certain conditions, especially with sensors that do not have a "hands-on" operation, this is a matter of time of emergency. In other words, even according to the most permissive opinions, it is generally forbidden or at least very problematic to enter an electronic code to open a door on Shabbat.
אז מה עושים?
First, inquire thoroughly. And when I say 'well', I mean - ask at every door. Don't be shy - the landlord has an interest in answering you, and as long as you ask politely and explain why, he will do so, and if not - as mentioned, this is not an apartment you would want to stay in in advance. Of course, it is possible that the landlord is excellent but simply does not understand what you want; this is also an option, so it is worth searching in addition to the explanation as stated below.
If you like the apartment – ask carefully about each and every door. If there is a code – find out if it is mechanical (great, no problem) or electrical (problem). In this context, when someone says a code is Mechanical Digital, they usually mean simply a mechanical code with digits and not anything electrical.
Please note – if the code keypad is on the side of the door, on the wall, it is likely to be electric. A mechanical code will be Always On the door itself, because it allows for the physical opening of a lock.
Here too, you can use Google Street Maps to find out which door the building has and whether it has a code. How? Simply type in the address and look very carefully and in maximum resolution at the building. This will help you not have to rely solely on the homeowners, who sometimes won't necessarily understand what you want, especially if you and they don't share the same language.
You should also ask From which directions? The code is required; that is, do you need to type in a code or open with a button only when entering or also when exiting?
The code directions are very important, because if you are not in a very remote place and only the outer door requires an electronic code or card, and that is only at the entrance, then the solution is relatively simple: when leaving, you open the handle, and when you want to enter – wait for someone to pass by on the street and say something like: “Hello, can you help me? For religious reasons, I cannot enter a code on the seventh day. The code is XXXX.” Although this is a statement to a gentile, even if in a modified form, since any sane person understands that it means “please open the door,” but since it is a matter of Shabbat enjoyment – rest, going to prayer or a meal, and so on – Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and other rabbis permitted it.
So far, this solution has worked great for me. It also works with a magnetic card, although a magnetic card is more complicated to carry for reasons of security (more on keys and mixing, later).
But, of course, this whole solution is good when you are standing outside the building and want to enter, or when you are near a barred gate that requires a code to open, and not near a closed door. If you are standing inside a courtyard near a barred gate that requires a code to open, you don't even have to explain the religious reasons: you tell someone passing by outside, "I have a problem, I can't open the gate from the inside, the code is such and such."
If you are inside a building and the door is closed, you will have a hard time explaining to someone outside what you want from them – and they will likely not even notice your existence anyway.
What do you do if there are more internal doors (that is, of the apartment itself, or of the building itself if it has a yard) that open with a code or card?
In hotel rooms, some suggested temporarily sticking paper in the lock hole so that it cannot be locked, putting tape on it to prevent the magnet from closing the door tightly (if the closure is magnetic and not using a lock tongue), or putting a loop that would allow the door to be opened from the outside even when the door appears locked. You can also put a very small magnet (the kind that comes in coils) in the door slots, then it is supposedly locked, but a strong pull will open it.
The problem with all these methods is that the idea of preventing a door from being locked is not only you (That is, any door that is not the apartment door but the door of the building or the gate) is problematic, and in any case it adds a certain risk of burglary. Of the methods, the weak magnet-in-the-slot method is probably preferable, because first, to a random puller, it will appear closed, and second, anyone who doesn't know there's another magnet there will have a hard time finding it, because the magnet will look black and plain like the mechanism, unlike paper or tape.
In any case, due to the problems, it is highly advisable to avoid being in such places. If a malfunction or emergency occurs and you are in a place with such a door on Shabbat, and you have no choice and no option but to change, the only possible method (apart from reducing the number of exits if possible) is to try to include all possible voices: open the door also in a change (that is, not in the usual way – for example, with an elbow and not a palm), even when possible by two people, each doing half of the process, and finally rely as much as possible on the opinion of the facilitators. It is highly advisable to consult with a rabbi in advance, but due to the time difference, you may find yourself in an awkward situation with no one to consult with – so it is also advisable to have a close rabbi’s phone number, if you can. It is important to emphasize that this solution is completely not a solution that should be done in the first place: some forbid it altogether, the issue of “in a change” and “two people doing it” are matters to prevent obligation In case someone made a ban, but they didn't Allow To do the prohibition. But if you are stuck and have no reasonable choice but to leave the apartment during Shabbat (and then of course return to it), it is worth familiarizing yourself with the various options.
Sensors in the home (excluding refrigerator)
With the advent of smart homes, more and more guest apartments will include a component of these – for example, turning on the lights when the door is opened, automatic faucets, and so on. Even in non-'smart' homes, you can encounter things like a doorbell that rings every time the door is opened. To begin with, it is advisable to turn off every such sensor. If you haven't been able to or remember: if the sensor does an action that is not useful to you at all (for example, ringing a doorbell when you enter) – then according to most opinions, you can simply ignore it, and it is advisable for two to open the door together if necessary. If the sensor does an action that is useful to you (for example, turning on the light), some allow it and most forbid it, and if it is impossible to avoid it here too, it is better to do it in pairs; in any case, you should consult a rabbi before Shabbat, as there are many opinions and many details. Therefore, it is very, very advisable to remember to turn off every sensor you can in advance. Here too, you should inquire with the landlords in advance, in order to prevent problems and distress, and be very specific, so that the landlords understand what is at stake and what the problem is for you.
Mixing
In most cities in the world, there is no mixing, period. If there is (check in advance), you've earned it. But if there isn't – you're not allowed to carry anything except what you're wearing. What's different about AirBnB here than being in a hotel or at a
Friends? Mainly the key issue. But even before the key, I found that many Israelis are unaware that there is no Iruv abroad, and so I was privileged to see observant people rolling baby strollers down a city street, or carrying bags, extra pairs of shoes, and so on, without being aware that they are probably walking around in the public domain of the Torah.
There are not too many solutions. You can wear a few layers and if you get too hot, put the top on your shoulders; but these are small details. If you are flying with very small children, those who cannot walk on their own, you have to take into account that movement is limited to the point of being impossible, and that you will have to rely on preparing food at home and that you will be there all Shabbat without a practical possibility for the whole family to go out together.
The specific problem with AirBnB is that, unlike a hotel or staying with friends, you can't leave a key at the reception or with friends. Here it's helpful if the house has a yard where you can hide it (no, not in a flowerpot, every thief knows that the keys are in a flowerpot), or a code box (mechanical) where the key is. But if not, there's a good chance you'll have to take a key with you. And then of course you can't shake a key and we're back to the first point.
Also, for the men among us, it is important to emphasize that if there is no aruv, you will not be able to take a tallit to synagogue in its packaging, but only wear it the whole way, and that is not always convenient. That is why synagogues abroad have a respectable pile of tallit – and you can always bring the tallit in advance and leave it there from Shabbat eve until Shabbat night.
What to do? The simplest solution is to bring you Belt Key. In such a belt, the key becomes part of the belt's closing mechanism, and thus a garment that is allowed to be shaken. Please note – some belts are suitable for only one key, and some can also turn two and three keys into part of the garment (you cannot hang an additional key from the belt if it is not part of the garment). In case you or she does not need the belt to hold the garment, then either use it as a decoration in the appropriate color, or use it to To hold some part of the garment (For example, it's a little less convenient to use a belt to close a sleeve, but with an elastic belt it works.) If you don't have a belt – This video Explains how to easily make one, and both sexes can improvise to make it relevant to a garment, or at least a sleeve.
Shabbat meal
It is generally recommended to always try to get closer to Shabbat. To the Chabad House The local one. It will usually be possible to find both prayer there (at least if there are enough Jews besides you and the emissary) and Shabbat meals. It is also worth doing a thorough Internet search before your trip for the Orthodox synagogues closest to the place you plan to stay. Many communities in the Diaspora maintain websites that include the community rabbi's email. He will usually be happy (in my experience at least) to answer questions about prayer times, when there is a minyan, whether there is kiddush after the prayer, and may even invite you to dine at his home on Shabbat.
But if you haven't been invited to any meal and there's no Chabad house nearby, you'll probably eat in your apartment. To do this, it's a good idea to stock up on Shabbat supplies in advance: A small bottle of wine or grape juice Packed well in a suitcase that goes into the belly of the plane (no drinks are allowed in the cabin). Nowadays, there are also cans of grape juice that you can take – which also makes life easier because there is no glass. In case of need, if you are stuck without kosher wine or grape juice, it is generally permissible to use ‘state liquor’ – for example, beer and, according to Some of the judges Also soft drinks; Pita bread for Mishnah Let them go straight into the freezer in the refrigerator, if you cannot buy kosher bread; All other cooking Possible with what you bring from Israel - soups, instant soups, or products that can be purchased at the local supermarket - certain fish (for example, in France, smoked salmon without additives from the local supermarket was allowed to be eaten), vegetables, fruits, dairy products (for those who do not keep Israel milk), and more. It is also advisable to bring Havdalah kit (Improvised or prepared) That is, a Havdalah candle and incense.
Since you won't have a hotplate in your apartment, and it's likely that if there is an electric stove there, it will turn off after a while, and gas stoves shouldn't be left on continuously for safety reasons, and induction stoves will turn off themselves as soon as you put the pot down - you need to bring a hotplate from Israel. Of course, make sure to bring the required adapter for the local outlet.
Candles - You can ask the host if there are candlesticks in the apartment, or bring disposable candles from Israel or The Tzomet Institute's electric candlesThe latter are especially preferable in places where fires are prohibited or where there are smoke detectors.
A heater - you're unlikely to find one in the apartment you rented. If you have a really good quality thermos, then keep water in it for your morning coffee, and if you don't - you can do without it. If you brought a large enough plate, you can fill a pot with boiling water from the kettle before Shabbat, and put it on the plate - the water will stay hot enough for tea.
Refrigerator light and other refrigerator issues
If the refrigerator in your apartment is big enough, it will have a light. Since this is not the Land of Israel, you will likely not find any Shabbat mechanism.
New refrigerators may have all sorts of mechanisms that are activated when the door is opened and internal sensors (up to nine, According to the updated count) and who knows what else, and you'll understand how to neutralize them, and sometimes with different and strange digital displays. On the other hand, there are Opinions to ease In any mechanism where the result is not necessarily immediate (i.e., opening a door will not *necessarily* immediately turn on a fan, for example). Which leaves us with the lighting problem mainly, and if we have solved it – we can rely on these opinions at least in times of need, and then we have no particular problem with almost any other refrigerator.
What to do? In old refrigerators it's very simple, either ask your landlord to remove the bulb for you, or do it yourself. It's usually easy to get to the bulb, remove the cover, and unscrew it.
But, it gets complicated with more sophisticated refrigerators; they may have LED lights, which are less problematic on Shabbat but not always removable; and they often have all sorts of sophisticated systems, and at the very least fans, that turn on when the door is opened.
What do you do in this case?
If possible, find out in advance what model refrigerator it is. Then search on YouTube. “Shabbos Mode Trick” או Shabbat Mode Trick And if you're lucky – you'll find a guide to disabling smart control on your specific refrigerator. If you don't know – there's usually Two main control systems, mechanical or magnetic. If it is a mechanical system – you will be able to see which protruding plastic part is pressed when the door starts to close, and then tape it in place with strong tape. Here are two examples of such a sensor – from a Samsung refrigerator In this video Or whirlpool In this video. Please note that the videos show you replacing the sensor and taking things apart. You don't have to do this: the videos are just to clearly show door switches.
If the sensor is magnetic – meaning that you are unable to find any prominent switch, and if it is magnetic – you must bring strong magnets from Israel (preferably two, one for the freezer compartment and one for the refrigerator, and in some refrigerators – like Samsung ones – even more, because sometimes there are two magnets per compartment. In some Samsung upside-down refrigerators, and probably other companies as well, there are arrows or markings on the top of the refrigerator that show where the magnets are), And move over the refrigerator frame Until the lights go out – that’s where you should place the magnet so that the refrigerator thinks the door is closed even when it’s opened. It’s a good idea to tape it with tape as well so that it doesn’t move when you close and open it. There’s no risk of damaging the refrigerator in either case. Don’t forget to remove the magnet or tape after Shabbat and reconnect the light bulb, or the landlord will be very puzzled. Note that ‘strong magnets’ are a reasonable measure; you don’t need a magnet that sticks to the mirror machine, but I doubt that the magnets you got from the photographer at the wedding of the last happy couple will do the job, because they are usually very weak. Flat magnets from building materials stores (or Express stores, usually cheaper, look for Rare Earth Magnets) will do the job.
Note regarding hot water: In Israel, many are accustomed to hot water coming from a solar water heater, or an electric water heater that is turned off before Shabbat, and there are different opinions, and usually everyone knows the method they use. Abroad, as a rule, you can't rely on this: in hotels and even apartments, there is usually no solar water heater, and the water heater - electric or gas - is running all the time or every time the hot water is turned on. This means that there is no No possibility Use hot water from the tap on Shabbat, unless you have the option of disconnecting the system before Shabbat and then using it according to your custom, such as with an electric water heater turned off. A good thermos will do wonders for you if you really need coffee in the morning.
Yagil's guide is updated from time to time and can be found in its entirety. HERE.
