n. A feature that enables an oven to stay on for extended periods — such as the Jewish Sabbath — to keep pre-cooked foods hot.
2001
With the Sabbath Mode override, ovens will not shut off automatically, making it possible to keep cooked foods warm for consumption on the Sabbath or holiday.
1994 (earliest)
One reportedly unique feature arises from requests by Orthodox Jews. For safety reasons, sons, KitchenAid ranges are programmed to cease operating after 12 hours. However, the religious stricture not to work for 24 hours on the sabbath bath — longer on some holidays — has led to a Sabbath Mode for six models. The observant cook can press keypad number six for five seconds offering a choice of baking at 170 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for an unlimited time.
If you have a relatively new oven, you may not know that it has a built-in safety feature that automatically shuts off the oven after 12 hours or so. This is sensible, but it has been problematic for Jews keeping kosher on the Sabbath and on Jewish holidays because they're forbidden to turn ovens (or any electrical appliances) on during that time. However, it is permissible to use electrical appliances that are already on. Hence the need for a Sabbath mode that keeps an oven on at a specified temperature for as long as it's required. The cook can whip up a meal prior to the Sabbath or holiday and then leave it in the always-warm oven until it is ready to be eaten. This innovation first appeared in KitchenAid ovens back in 1994.