Vibrant community life, the central location between Givat Shmuel, Petah Tikva and Hadar HaGanim, proximity to Highway 6 ensuring quick and convenient access from anywhere in the country, closeness to Bar-Ilan University, alongside daily enjoyment of open spaces toward Moshav Nahalim and views toward the Samarian Hills and Jerusalem Mountains - all these make 'Mishkenot Nahalim' the first choice for the religious-Zionist public in central Israel.
The modern living concept of this special project is expressed in the unique architectural design created by the architectural firm Kobi Gal and Vered Matzliach, which placed special emphasis on the target audience for whom the apartments were designed.
In planning the building, the architectural firm successfully addressed the challenge of designing a modern multi-story residential tower adapted to the needs of the religious-Zionist public with a sukkah balcony for each apartment, where access to the sukkah balconies is always through the living room.
But this is not enough. Mehasev company operates at the intersection between the desire to implement modern residential projects for the religious-Zionist public and halakhic requirements.
In light of publications regarding halakhic problems related to water use on Sabbath in high-rise buildings, due to the operation of local pumps in the building to increase pressure, a meeting was held a few days ago with the participation of Rabbi Israel Rosen, head of the 'Tzomet' Institute, and architect Hugo Shpengenthal, Vice President of Planning and Engineering at Mehasev company. The purpose of the meeting was to receive detailed guidance from Rabbi Rosen to ensure apartment buyers in the project full compliance with halakhic requirements.
Rabbi Rosen examined together with the project engineers the details of planned solutions in the building regarding water supply to residential apartments and provided guidance that would ensure the planned system's compliance with halakhic requirements.
A detailed response on the issue of water on Sabbath in high-rise buildings by Rabbi Israel Rosen can be found below.
Architect Hugo Shpengenthal notes another innovation that Mehasev company implements in the 'Mishkenot Nahalim' project and other projects the company establishes for the religious public: the installation of "Sabbath control for domestic electric water heater." Mehasev installs a new product developed by the 'Tzomet' Institute that enables unlimited use of hot water on Sabbath. During Sabbath, a sensitive electronic thermostat installed in the water heater limits water temperature to only 40°C, a temperature below the "scalding hand" degree that is not considered halakhic "cooking."
All these, in addition to solutions commonly accepted today in all projects for the religious public, such as sink separation, Sabbath timers, Sabbath elevators, etc.
Mehasev is the only company in Israel specializing in building housing projects and neighborhoods for the religious-Zionist public and will continue implementing the most advanced solutions for integrating halakha and practical life.
Water on Sabbath in High-Rise Buildings Rabbi Israel Rosen, Engineer, Head of Tzomet Institute
Recently, advertisements with warnings and prohibitions regarding water use on Sabbath in high-rise homes were published in the ultra-Orthodox sector, due to the operation of local pumps in buildings to increase pressure. My 'response' was also published in the media, not entirely accurately. The problem: In high-rise buildings (and not only in them), municipal pressure is insufficient to supply water to high floors, so 'local' pumps are installed to increase pressure and there are two fundamental approaches to this matter. In the following lines, we will discuss two fundamental methods for solving the problem.
Pump That Operates and Stops
The pump compresses water into a pressure tank with a pressostat (pressure gauge) or raises water to an upper pool near the roof with a high float. Water consumption in apartments reduces pressure in the tank or lowers the level in the pool. At a certain moment the pump is activated, according to pressure in the pressostat or height level in the float.
Halakhic consideration: Fundamentally, the issue is similar to a case with a thermostat. Most of the public opens 'freely' and some are stringent to install a special Sabbath arrangement. Precise halakhic decision depends on the probability of immediate activation during large water consumption, such as dishwashing.
Halakho-technical solution: Integration of a 'state continuation' mechanism for the stringent, which activates the pump at fixed times and the pressostat only continues the operation. Details at 'Tzomet' Institute. For engineer: 0524-295291
Pump with Speed Control (Frequency Converter)
The hit today is the 'variable frequency' pump, which caused the 'Bnei Brak' uproar. In the piping there is a sensor that continuously senses water pressure, and it increases or decreases pump intensity continuously, during water consumption in apartments.
Halakhic consideration: Our position, in consultation with prominent halakhic authorities and contrary to the 'Bnei Brak' advertisement, is that it is permitted ab initio to continuously change current/voltage/frequency (if there's no glowing wire!). Indeed, there is still a problem when the pump is dormant, when there is no water consumption in the building.
Halakho-technical solution: It must be arranged that on Sabbath there will be minimal 'artificial consumption' all day through water circulation in a thin pipe. Thus the pump (or pumps!) always operates at least at low intensity.
Details at 'Tzomet' Institute. For engineer: 0524-295291
