Lately it seems that Israel is really becoming a frontrunner in the world of advancing technology. Between firefighting devices and advanced weapons systems, someone managed to squeeze a Kosher cellphone into the mix. Designed for the Israeli Army, the Shabbatphone was designed to allow those who need to make calls during Shabbat to do so. It works by allowing the user to operate the phone in an “indirect” manner. What this means, I have no idea, but it’s apparently a loophole that allows Jews to use a phone during a holy time. Word is that the phone prevents users from closing electrical circuits, thus circumventing any laws regarding technology.
As a Jew, I must admit this phone really gets creative in serving its intended purpose, but it’s still a cellphone when it comes down to it (which is a big no-no on Shabbat). Just have some gefilte fish, settle down, and wait to make a call when Sunday rolls around.
Shabbatphone for Israeli army [Ubergizmo]
Technically, the law doesn’t say you can’t use a cell phone. What it really says, deep down, is that you can’t create or destroy anything during Shabbat. You can’t create a fire, or open an electric circuit. I agree, this seems like a lame loophole, but if it helps a poor schmuck call ema and abba, daiyenu.
You’re Jewish? I thought you were Italian.
Truthfully, this “loophole” makes no religious sense. In incidents where a life can be saved (known as pikuach nefesh), you can definitely violate Shabbat to drive an emergency vehicle or call a hospital.
I see from the Ubergizmo link that the phone is intended for those ‘non life or death’ situations, but this phone would be frowned upon by strict Rabbis anyhow because of “maarat ayin” (the appearance of doing something that is not religiously permissable, because you even say that it is “still a cellphone when it comes down to it”). To me, this opens a whole new can of worms that need to be dealt with.
Ah Bryce, you don’t read Crunchgear as often as the rest of us do. Vince reveals all here!