A
Shabbat elevator is an
elevator which works in a special mode, operating automatically, to satisfy the
Jewish law requiring Jews to abstain from operating electrical switches on
Shabbat (the Sabbath).
Jewish law forbids those who observe it from undertaking various forms of "work" on the Sabbath, including that they may not create sparks or fires... ...An elevator may be marked with a sign noting that it is specially configured for Shabbat observance.
[1] There are several ways the elevator works (going up and down), stopping at every floor, stopping at alternate floors, or rising to the top floor and stopping, while going down.