Pause for Shabbat
Set your email to auto-pause for Shabbat every week.
One email. One click.
paused
Sunday
“I observe Shabbat from Friday evening through Saturday evening. I’ll respond on Sunday.”
Set it once. Then forget it.
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1
Send one email
Email set@
pauseforshabbat.com from your work address. Any subject line works. -
2
Click one link
We'll email you a link. Sign in to Microsoft and let Pause for Shabbat manage your automatic replies.
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3
Rest
Every week your auto-reply turns on at your local sunset on Friday and off at nightfall on Saturday.
No rolling stops.
In driver's ed they teach you to come to a complete stop at a stop sign. Most of us do the rolling stop instead. We slow down almost all the way, and then we keep going.
When the Torah first mentions Shabbat, in Genesis 2, it uses the word vaishbot: to stop, to cease. It means stopping all the work of the week, including everything that keeps us stressed and running at full speed. It means a complete stop.
That's why we created Pause for Shabbat.
Good to know.
What can Pause for Shabbat access?
Only your automatic-reply settings, plus your name and email address so we know whose account it is. We never read, send, or delete your email, and we can't see your contacts or calendar.
How is the timing worked out?
We use the time zone in your Outlook settings to find local sunset. Your reply starts at sunset on Friday and ends 42 minutes after sunset on Saturday, which is the usual time given for nightfall. We schedule the next week every Thursday night.
Can I change the message?
Yes. Edit your automatic reply in Outlook (Settings → Mail → Automatic replies). We'll keep your wording every week and only change the start and end times.
How do I turn it off?
Send any email to stop@pauseforshabbat.com from the same address. We'll cancel your upcoming Shabbat reply and delete your record. You can also remove the app's access in your Microsoft account at any time.
Does it work with Gmail?
Not yet. It works with Outlook and Microsoft 365, including work and school accounts if your organization allows it. Gmail is on the list.
My organization blocked the app. Now what?
Some Microsoft 365 organizations require an administrator to approve third-party apps. Send this page to your IT team. We only ask for the MailboxSettings.ReadWrite permission.