When does Shabbat start and end in Israel?

Shabbat starts at the local כניסת שבת time on Friday before sunset and ends at צאת השבת after nightfall on Saturday. The times change with the city, the season and local custom.

Is there public transport on Shabbat in Israel?

Most regular buses and trains in Jewish cities stop before Shabbat and restart on Saturday night. Licensed Saturday routes run in places such as Haifa, Eilat and Arab and mixed localities, Tel Aviv runs the free נעים בסופ״ש network, and licensed taxis operate.

When do trains start again after Shabbat?

Each operator sets its own restart time. Israel Railways' winter 2026 notice put Saturday night trains at around 20:00 to 21:00, which can be hours after צאת השבת.

Is Ben Gurion Airport open on Shabbat?

Yes. נתב״ג operates 24/7 with a night takeoff curfew, and licensed taxis run all week. Ordinary trains and buses to the airport follow separate Shabbat timetables.

What does motzash mean on a sign?

מוצ״ש (motzash) means Saturday night after Shabbat ends. A sign that says פתוח במוצ״ש opens after Shabbat, often at a stated time or half an hour after צאת השבת.

Shabbat in Israel: What Closes and What Runs

Shabbat Times

שבתShabbat

Shabbat

US English

Sabbath; also Saturday

UK English

Same as US

What it is

שבת is the Jewish weekly day of rest and, in everyday Hebrew, the name of Saturday. For closures, שבת spans Friday evening through Saturday night.

The difference

שבת is not the civil Saturday alone. Planning by the midnight to midnight Saturday misses the early Friday closures and the Saturday evening reopenings.

Common mistake

Do not search only for Saturday hours; check Friday and מוצ״ש rows as well as the שבת row.

On the label or sign

ער״ש: Friday before Shabbat, short form

ערב שבת / ער״שFriday before Shabbat

erev Shabbat

US English

Friday before the Sabbath

UK English

Same as US

What it is

ערב שבת literally means Shabbat eve, but in practice ערב שבת usually means Friday before Shabbat begins. Schedules may group ערב שבת with ערבי חג, holiday eves.

The difference

ערב שבת is not necessarily Friday night. A place with ערב שבת hours may close in the early afternoon.

Common mistake

Do not read ערב as evening only and arrive after the place has closed; treat ערב שבת as Friday daytime.

ליל שבתFriday night

leil Shabbat

US English

Friday night; Shabbat evening

UK English

Same as US

What it is

ליל שבת is the night that begins Shabbat, which is Friday night.

The difference

ליל שבת is different from מוצ״ש, which is Saturday night after Shabbat.

Common mistake

Do not translate ליל שבת as Saturday night; ליל שבת is Friday night.

ליל שישיThursday night (usually)

leil shishi

US English

Thursday night, but context can be ambiguous

UK English

Same as US

What it is

In religious usage, ליל שישי commonly means the night leading into Friday, which is Thursday night. The Hebrew Academy notes that some secular speakers use ליל שישי for Friday night.

The difference

English speakers expect Friday night to mean the night of Friday. ליל שישי may mean the night before.

Common mistake

Do not guess which night ליל שישי means; confirm the date or the clock time.

On the label or sign

שקיעה: sunset

כניסת שבת / הדלקת נרותShabbat start and candles

knisat Shabbat / hadlakat nerot

US English

Start of the Sabbath; candle-lighting

UK English

Same as US

What it is

כניסת שבת is the published local start of Shabbat, and הדלקת נרות is the candle-lighting time before sunset. The government publishes city tables, and one Tel Aviv calendar sets candle-lighting 22 minutes before sunset.

The difference

הדלקת נרות and שקיעה, sunset, are different times, and the margin varies by local custom; Jerusalem custom is commonly earlier. Businesses and transport often stop before כניסת שבת, not exactly at כניסת שבת.

Common mistake

Do not use another city's הדלקת נרות time or wait until sunset; check the table for your own city and date.

צאת השבת / צאת שבתEnd of Shabbat

tzet haShabbat / tzet Shabbat

US English

End of the Sabbath

UK English

Same as US

What it is

צאת השבת is the published time when Shabbat ends, after sunset according to the calendar's method. Different calendars or communities may show different margins.

The difference

Services do not all restart at צאת השבת. Shabbat begins much earlier in winter and later in summer, so the time moves through the year.

Common mistake

Do not assume every service restarts at the exact צאת השבת minute; check each operator's own time.

On the label or sign

רכבת ראשונה במוצ״ש: first train on Saturday night

מוצאי שבת / מוצ״שSaturday night after Shabbat

motza'ei Shabbat / motzash

US English

Saturday night after the Sabbath

UK English

Same as US

What it is

מוצ״ש is the period after Shabbat ends and is very common in retail and transport. מוצ״ש can also mean Saturday night service, with its own listed start time.

The difference

מוצ״ש is not all of Saturday evening. Some places publish פתוח במוצ״ש, while others stay closed until Sunday.

Common mistake

Do not read מוצ״ש as a place name or as any Saturday evening hour; look for the listed start time.

On the label or sign

נר הבדלה: havdalah candle
בשמים: spices

הבדלהHavdalah ceremony

havdalah

US English

Ceremony ending the Sabbath

UK English

Same as US

What it is

הבדלה is the ritual that marks the move out of Shabbat, with wine, spices and a multi-wick candle. הבדלה follows the applicable Shabbat end time.

The difference

הבדלה comes after צאת השבת, not at sunset.

Common mistake

Do not treat sunset as the automatic end of Shabbat; use the published צאת השבת time.

Signs And Opening Hours

On the label or sign

פתוח 24 שעות: open 24 hours

פתוח בשבתOpen on Shabbat

patuach be-Shabbat

US English

Open on the Sabbath

UK English

Same as US

What it is

פתוח בשבת means open during at least part of Shabbat.

The difference

פתוח בשבת does not promise 24 hours, every branch, kosher certification or normal weekday service.

Common mistake

Do not take a chain-level פתוח בשבת claim as proof that your nearest branch is open; check that branch's hours.

On the label or sign

שבת: סגור: Shabbat: closed

סגור בשבתClosed on Shabbat

sagur be-Shabbat

US English

Closed on the Sabbath

UK English

Same as US

What it is

סגור בשבת means closed during Shabbat.

The difference

A place marked סגור בשבת may still open on מוצ״ש, sometimes with a Saturday night range printed next to the closed row.

Common mistake

Do not assume סגור בשבת means closed until Sunday; read the line after the שבת row.

On the label or sign

חצי שעה לאחר צאת השבת: half an hour after Shabbat ends

פתוח במוצאי שבת / פתוח במוצ״שOpen Saturday night

patuach be-motza'ei Shabbat / patuach be-motzash

US English

Open Saturday night

UK English

Same as US

What it is

פתוח במוצ״ש means a place opens after Shabbat. The start may be a clock time or half an hour after Shabbat ends, and can move with the season.

The difference

פתוח במוצ״ש does not mean open at sunset. The reopening often comes some time after צאת השבת.

Common mistake

Do not arrive at sunset for a פתוח במוצ״ש opening; go by the published reopening time.

תורנות שבתShabbat duty service

toranut Shabbat

US English

Sabbath duty; on-call service

UK English

Sabbath rota; on-call service

What it is

תורנות שבת means a branch or professional is assigned to cover Shabbat. Pharmacies use תורנות שבת for duty branches, alongside 24-hour branches.

The difference

A pharmacy on תורנות שבת does not offer every normal service. Branches in Arab areas may also keep Saturday daytime hours.

Common mistake

Do not assume a duty pharmacy has the chain's full service; check the date and whether the dispensing counter is open.

On the label or sign

שירות מצומצם: reduced service

מתכונת שבתReduced Shabbat operation

matkonet Shabbat

US English

Reduced Sabbath operation

UK English

Same as US

What it is

מתכונת שבת is a reduced staffing or service pattern used by hospitals, health funds, hotels, institutions and sometimes during emergencies.

The difference

מתכונת שבת means service continues with limits. מתכונת שבת is neither closed nor business as usual.

Common mistake

Do not read מתכונת שבת as closed or as normal service; ask what the reduced service covers.

תעודת כשרותKosher certificate

te'udat kashrut

US English

Kosher certificate

UK English

Kosher certificate

What it is

A תעודת כשרות identifies the premises, the certifier and the validity date. Rabbinate procedures can make certification depend on closing on Shabbat.

The difference

Opening on Shabbat can stop a business from holding a Rabbinate certificate, but opening does not prove the food is not kosher. A closed Saturday door does not prove a תעודת כשרות either.

Common mistake

Do not infer kashrut from Shabbat hours; read the current תעודת כשרות for the business name, address, expiry and issuer.

שבת שלום / שבוע טובShabbat greetings

Shabbat shalom / shavua tov

US English

Peaceful Sabbath; have a good week

UK English

Same as US

What it is

שבת שלום is the standard greeting before and during Shabbat, heard from Friday. שבוע טוב, a good week, is the common greeting on Saturday night after Shabbat ends.

The difference

שבת שלום is social language, not an opening-hours statement. שבוע טוב is not a way to say have a good weekend.

Common mistake

Do not say שבוע טוב on Friday; say שבת שלום before Shabbat and שבוע טוב after it.

Transport And Services

On the label or sign

לוח זמנים: timetable

אוטובוס / תחבורה ציבורית רגילהRegular buses

otobus / tachbura tziburit regila

US English

Regular public bus

UK English

Same as US

What it is

Most regular bus routes in Jewish cities stop before Shabbat and return on מוצ״ש. Licensed Saturday routes exist, especially in Haifa, Eilat and Arab and mixed localities.

The difference

No buses anywhere on Shabbat is false. The pattern in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem does not apply to Haifa, Nazareth-area towns or Eilat.

Common mistake

Do not rely on a weekday result; check the exact route and date in an official journey planner.

נעים בסופ״שTel Aviv weekend buses

Na'im Basofash

US English

Municipal weekend shuttle network

UK English

Municipal weekend bus network

What it is

נעים בסופ״ש is a free municipal bus network in the Tel Aviv area during hours when regular public transport does not run. נעים בסופ״ש has its own numbered routes from 705 onward, stops and hours.

The difference

נעים בסופ״ש is not the regular fare network. Ordinary bus stops and ordinary frequency do not apply.

Common mistake

Do not wait at any ordinary bus stop or expect a Rav-Kav charge; use the official נעים בסופ״ש map.

רכבת ישראל / רכבת קלהTrains and light rail

Rakevet Yisrael / rakevet kala

US English

Israel Railways; light rail

UK English

Israel Railways; tram or light rail

What it is

Israel Railways trains normally finish early on Friday and restart on Saturday night. The winter 2026 notice gave Friday finishes around 14:00 to 15:00 and Saturday night starts around 20:00 to 21:00.

The difference

Rail does not restart at צאת השבת. The Tel Aviv Red Line light rail publishes its own Saturday night first train, around 20:45, which varies with Shabbat times.

Common mistake

Do not plan a Saturday daytime train to the airport; check the operator's own Friday and מוצ״ש timetable.

מונית / מונית מיוחדתTaxi

monit / monit meyuchedet

US English

Taxi; cab

UK English

Same as US

What it is

Licensed taxis operate on Shabbat, including 24-hour service from Ben Gurion Airport. Shabbat and night tariff rules differ from daytime rates.

The difference

A מונית is the main way to travel when trains and buses stop. Use the meter and a licensed rank or app.

Common mistake

Do not accept an unmetered airport offer; use the authorized taxi queue.

מונית שירותShared route taxi

monit sherut

US English

Shared route taxi; jitney

UK English

Shared route taxi; minibus

What it is

A מונית שירות is a licensed shared vehicle on a fixed route, sometimes running alongside a bus line. Some מונית שירות routes operate on Shabbat.

The difference

A מונית שירות is not a private car service. Shabbat routes and frequency are limited and do not replace a full bus network.

Common mistake

Do not translate שירות as a private chauffeur; ask the driver the destination before boarding.

נמל התעופה בן־גוריון / נתב״גBen Gurion Airport

Nemal HaTe'ufa Ben-Gurion / Natbag

US English

Ben Gurion Airport

UK English

Same as US

What it is

נתב״ג operates 24/7, with a night takeoff curfew, and can have Shabbat flights. Internal parking and terminal shuttles and licensed taxis operate all week.

The difference

An open airport does not mean open public transport to the airport. Ordinary rail and bus access follows separate Shabbat timetables.

Common mistake

Do not plan to reach נתב״ג by train on Shabbat; book a licensed taxi.

On the label or sign

מוקד: urgent care center

מוקד רפואה דחופהUrgent care center

moked refu'a dechufa

US English

Urgent care center

UK English

Urgent treatment centre or out-of-hours clinic

What it is

Health funds and contracted centers provide out-of-hours care on nights, Fridays, Shabbat and holidays. Hours and copay rules vary by branch.

The difference

A מוקד רפואה דחופה is not the same as a hospital emergency room. Health fund nurse lines also run 24/7, but they give advice and are not emergency dispatch.

Common mistake

Do not go to your normal clinic on Shabbat; check your health fund's site or call center for the current מוקד.

On the label or sign

מלר״ד: emergency department

שירותי חירום / חדר מיוןEmergency services

sherutei cherum / chadar miyun

US English

Emergency services; emergency room

UK English

Emergency services; A&E

What it is

Police 100, MDA ambulance 101, Fire and Rescue 102 and Home Front Command 104 operate regardless of Shabbat. Hospital emergency departments, חדר מיון, also run continuously.

The difference

Saving life overrides Shabbat restrictions under the principle of פיקוח נפש. Payment and referral rules for חדר מיון still apply unless an exemption covers the visit.

Common mistake

Do not delay an emergency call or hospital visit because of Shabbat; call 101 for an ambulance.

Shabbat At Home

פלטת שבתShabbat hotplate

platat Shabbat

US English

Sabbath warming plate; hotplate

UK English

Same as US

What it is

A פלטת שבת is a low, steady warming surface for food that is already cooked. Shops sell a פלטת שבת by capacity, such as two, four or six pots.

The difference

A פלטת שבת is not a cooking hob and often has no ordinary heat controls.

Common mistake

Do not call every electric hob a plata; look for the label פלטת שבת.

מיחם שבת / מיחםShabbat hot-water urn

meicham Shabbat / meicham

US English

Sabbath hot-water urn

UK English

Same as US

What it is

A מיחם שבת is a large electric urn that keeps water hot for Shabbat. A מיחם is often described by liters or cups, such as 30 to 60 cups.

The difference

A kettle boils on demand. A מיחם שבת is prepared in advance and dispenses hot water without ordinary reboiling controls.

Common mistake

Do not shop for a kettle when you need a מיחם שבת; look for the cup count on the box.

On the label or sign

שבועי: weekly
שקע-תקע: plug-in

שעון שבתShabbat timer

sha'on Shabbat

US English

Sabbath timer; plug timer

UK English

Sabbath timer; time switch

What it is

A שעון שבת is a timer that turns a plug or circuit on and off on a preset schedule. Shops sell plug-in, boiler, daily and weekly versions.

The difference

A שעון שבת is not a clock that shows Shabbat times.

Common mistake

Do not change a building's שעון שבת without permission; buy a plug-in שעון שבת for your own lamp.

מצב שבת / פיקוד שבתSabbath mode

matzav Shabbat / pikud Shabbat

US English

Sabbath mode; Sabbath control

UK English

Same as US

What it is

מצב שבת is a special mode in appliances or building systems that stops ordinary user actions from triggering lights, sensors, displays or alarms. Modern refrigerators can react to the door opening, so a verified mode or fitted device is needed.

The difference

מצב שבת is not one universal technical standard, and features differ by model. Removing the fridge bulb does not make every modern refrigerator ready for Shabbat.

Common mistake

Do not assume an imported appliance's Sabbath mode works like an Israeli-certified מצב שבת; check the approved model or device.

מעלית שבתShabbat elevator

ma'alit Shabbat

US English

Sabbath elevator

UK English

Sabbath lift

What it is

A מעלית שבת runs automatically and stops on a programmed pattern, so riders do not press floor buttons. Israeli law covers installation in qualifying buildings with several lifts.

The difference

Not every elevator in a hotel, hospital or new tower is the מעלית שבת, and operating hours vary.

Common mistake

Do not assume every lift is a מעלית שבת all day; look for the sign and the posted hours.

עירובEruv boundary

eruv

US English

Ritual boundary that permits carrying

UK English

Same as US

What it is

An עירוב is a maintained halachic boundary that treats the enclosed area as one domain for carrying on Shabbat. An עירוב is often thin wires on poles, and a line can be damaged.

The difference

An עירוב is not a neighborhood or a curfew line. An עירוב does not make shops, transport or electronics permitted.

Common mistake

Do not treat an עירוב as a general relaxation of Shabbat rules; check the local religious council's map and status.

You need	Look for	Keep in mind
A shop open on Saturday night	פתוח במוצ״שpatuach be-motzash	Often some time after Shabbat ends.
A pharmacy open on Shabbat	תורנות שבתtoranut Shabbat	Duty branch with limited service.
A doctor when clinics are closed	מוקד רפואה דחופהmoked refu'a dechufa	Ask your health fund for the location.
An ambulance	שירותי חירוםsherutei cherum	MDA ambulance is 101, regardless of Shabbat.
A bus in Tel Aviv on Shabbat	נעים בסופ״שNa'im Basofash	Free municipal routes 705 onward.
A ride to the airport on Shabbat	מוניתmonit	Licensed, metered taxi.
A hotplate to keep food warm	פלטת שבתplatat Shabbat	Warms cooked food; no cooking controls.
A hot-water urn	מיחם שבתmeicham Shabbat	Sold by cup count.
A timer for a lamp	שעון שבתsha'on Shabbat	Plug-in or weekly versions.
Proof that food is kosher	תעודת כשרותte'udat kashrut	Check the date and issuer.

Mix-Ups to Avoid

Shabbat Times

שבתShabbat

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

ערב שבת / ער״שFriday before Shabbat

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

ליל שבתFriday night

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

ליל שישיThursday night (usually)

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

כניסת שבת / הדלקת נרותShabbat start and candles

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

צאת השבת / צאת שבתEnd of Shabbat

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מוצאי שבת / מוצ״שSaturday night after Shabbat

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

הבדלהHavdalah ceremony

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Signs And Opening Hours

פתוח בשבתOpen on Shabbat

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

סגור בשבתClosed on Shabbat

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פתוח במוצאי שבת / פתוח במוצ״שOpen Saturday night

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

תורנות שבתShabbat duty service

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מתכונת שבתReduced Shabbat operation

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

תעודת כשרותKosher certificate

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

שבת שלום / שבוע טובShabbat greetings

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Transport And Services

אוטובוס / תחבורה ציבורית רגילהRegular buses

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

נעים בסופ״שTel Aviv weekend buses

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

רכבת ישראל / רכבת קלהTrains and light rail

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מונית / מונית מיוחדתTaxi

What it is

The difference

Common mistake