As Israel comes to a standstill to mark the most solemn day on the Jewish calendar, producers of the cult reality show will deviate from the show's format, halting their coverage of participants' every move until the holiday ends after nightfall Thursday. They've also built a makeshift synagogue for a religious contestant.

The shutdown is an unheard-of disruption in the 24/7 coverage of the housemates' yawns, scratches, feuds and inane conversations. Although the show airs on Sunday nights, those tracking the show on the Internet will have to do without their fix for a full day, and those inside the house will enjoy relative privacy, although -- in keeping with the show's rules mandating total isolation from the world outside -- they won't know it.

Quarantined in a building in the village of Neve Ilan, outside Jerusalem, since Sept. 3, they also do not know that the country's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, has resigned, or that Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is now struggling to put together a new government.

The housemates must live, eat and sleep together for 100 days. Along with viewers, they gradually vote each other off the show, leaving a winner, who in this case will collect 1 million shekels, or about $285,000.