The kids get home from school before you do, Grandma arrives for Shabbat without a key, and somebody in the family left the door unlocked again. A smart lock solves all of that — a code for the kids, temporary access for guests, auto-lock. And then comes the question every Shabbat-observant family asks before they even ask the price: what happens on Shabbat?
After more than 25 years serving Beit Shemesh, we know this isn't a "maybe" question — it's the first question. So when we opened our Locks & Security department, the smart lock we chose to bring in is the Yale Linus L2 — a lock with a Shabbat mode approved by Machon Tzomet. In this guide we explain how it works on a weekday, how it works on Shabbat, what to check on your door before buying, and the difference between the kits.
What the Yale Linus L2 is, in two minutes
The Linus L2 is a smart lock that mounts on the inside of the door, over the cylinder. From outside the door looks exactly as before, and the regular key keeps working. On the inside, a small motorised unit turns the cylinder for you. You open the door whichever way suits you:
- From your phone — in the Yale Home app, over Bluetooth when you're at the door, or from anywhere in the world over the built-in Wi-Fi.
- With a code — on the smart keypad mounted outside; each family member gets their own code, and guests get a temporary one that expires after the visit.
- With a fingerprint — on the fingerprint keypad (weatherproof, up to 10 prints).
- With a Yale Dot — tap your phone on a small tag by the door and it opens.
- With the key — as always. The cylinder is still a cylinder.
Beyond opening, the lock auto-locks after the door closes (you can turn that off), knows whether the door is open or closed (the DoorSense sensor), keeps a log of every entry, lets you open for a courier or a babysitter remotely, and runs on a rechargeable battery. The second generation is faster and quieter than the first, supports the Matter smart-home standard, and is designed for self-installation.
Shabbat mode: how it works
A smart lock is an electrical device: a motor, sensors, communication. Without a solution, every opening of the door on Shabbat triggers something. Yale's solution is a Shabbat mode that you switch on before Shabbat begins, in which the lock stops behaving like a device: no auto-lock, no logging, no communication, no motor. What remains is an ordinary mechanical lock — you open from outside with the key, and from inside you turn the knob of the lock unit by hand. After Shabbat you switch Shabbat mode off and everything comes back.
This way of working is what Machon Tzomet gave its approval to — for the Linus L2 lock and for the keypad. The certificate itself and the exact operating instructions are available from Yale Israel and on the Machon Tzomet website, and if you have a halachic question — as with any appliance — the question is for your rav. We'll take care of the technical side.
Why it suits families in Beit Shemesh so well
- Kids without keys. A personal code for each child, and you get a notification on your phone when they get home. No more "I lost my key", and no more replacing the cylinder because a key ring was left on the bus.
- Shabbat guests. A temporary code you give before Shabbat, or a remote unlock before they arrive — and after the visit the code is deleted.
- The door is always locked. Auto-lock a few seconds after closing. Anyone who has forgotten to lock the door once knows what that's worth.
- Rentals and guest apartments. A code for every guest, without handing over keys and without driving over to change the cylinder between tenants.
Before you buy: four checks on your door
- The cylinder. The Linus fits over your existing cylinder, provided it protrudes slightly (about 3 mm) from the door's inside hardware. If your cylinder is old, too short, or you want to upgrade at the same time, we carry dedicated Linus cylinders by Mul-T-Lock (MTL800) in a range of sizes, for steel doors (gear) and for wooden and aluminium doors (cam). That way you get the smart lock and the most secure cylinder in the range at once.
- The door type. Most Israeli steel doors are suitable. Send us a photo of the door from inside and outside and we'll confirm before you order.
- Wi-Fi by the door. Remote unlocking and real-time logging need reasonable reception of your home network at the front door. Without it the lock still works over Bluetooth, by code and by fingerprint.
- A charging habit. The rechargeable battery lasts months (longer on Bluetooth only, shorter with Wi-Fi), and the lock warns you in advance when it's running low. Either way — the key always opens.
Which kit to choose
- Basic kit — the lock, built-in Wi-Fi, a Yale Dot and the rechargeable battery. Opens from the phone, the Dot and the key. For a household where everyone has a smartphone.
- Kit + smart keypad — everything in the basic kit, plus an outside keypad for personal and temporary codes. The right kit for a family with children. (also in silver)
- Kit + fingerprint keypad — instead of remembering a code, you touch. Up to 10 fingerprints, weatherproof for outdoor use. (also in silver)
Our prices are below Yale Israel's recommended prices for these kits (₪990–1,485 depending on the kit), and every kit is genuine with the importer's warranty. You can also start with the basic kit and add a fingerprint keypad or smart keypad later.
Frequently asked questions
Is it permitted to use a smart lock on Shabbat?
The Linus L2 and its keypad have a Shabbat mode approved by Machon Tzomet: before Shabbat you switch it to Shabbat mode, and the lock works mechanically only until Shabbat ends. Personal halachic questions go to your rav; we're happy to help with the setup and the switch.
What happens if the battery dies?
The lock warns you in the app well before the battery runs low, and you recharge it with a cable. And even if you ignored every warning — the mechanical key opens the door from outside as usual.
Can it be installed on an Israeli steel door ("pladelet")?
Yes, that is the most common installation in Israel. Sometimes a dedicated Linus cylinder or an adapter is needed, which is why we ask for a photo of the door before ordering. The installation itself is done from the inside, with no wiring and no drilling into the door.
Is a smart lock more secure or less secure than a regular lock?
The mechanical security stays in the cylinder — and with a Mul-T-Lock MTL800 Linus cylinder it is at the highest level in the range. The smart side adds: an auto-lock that never forgets, an entry log, and the ability to revoke someone's access with a tap instead of changing the cylinder. What does matter: lock your phone with a passcode, and if it's lost, revoke its access from the app.
What if there's no internet at home?
Opening by Bluetooth, code, fingerprint, Yale Dot and key all work without internet. Only remote unlocking and real-time notifications need Wi-Fi.
Can I let a guest in when I'm not home?
Yes. With the built-in Wi-Fi you unlock from anywhere in the app, or you send the guest a temporary keypad code that is valid only for the hours you set.
The bottom line
A smart lock with an approved Shabbat mode is not a compromise — on a weekday it gives convenience and control, and on Shabbat it becomes an ordinary mechanical lock. What decides whether the installation goes smoothly is the cylinder and the door, and that we check with you before you pay.
Want to know if the Linus L2 fits your door? Send a photo of the door from inside and outside on WhatsApp, call 02-9910450, or drop into the shop at 19 Yitzhak Rabin Road, Beit Shemesh. We'll show you the lock up close, explain how to switch on Shabbat mode, and match the kit.
Shop online: Basic kit | Kit + keypad | Kit + fingerprint | the whole Locks & Security department
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