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Using Dimmer on Yom Tov

Can one use a dimmer to either increase or decrease a light on yom tov?

Answer:

No, it is not permitted to use a dimmer on Yom Tov.

Although might think that it is permitted to use a dimmer to increase a light on Yom Tov, because it is permitted to make a fire bigger on Yom Tov, the problem of using an electrical device on Yom Tov is not a problem of mav’ir (igniting a fire), but different problems that poskim raise.

It is true that the problem of boneh (in closing a circuit) is also apparently not applicable to a dimmer, but the issue of makeh be-patish (which is expounded on by Rav Asher Weiss shlita in his recently published teshuvos sefer) remains a problem.

As a general rule, all poskim rule that one cannot use electrical appliances of any kind on Shabbos or Yom Tov. Although each gives different reasons, the general approach is clear, and it applies to using a dimmer as well as to using a switch.

Best wishes.

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