March 6, 2005
Cell phones for the Orthodox
An Israeli cellular phone company came out with a line catering to the fervently Orthodox community, reports The Times Online via JTA.
"The “kosher” phone carries a stamp signifying its approval by rabbinical authorities, who will recommend haredi community members to take out contracts with MIRS Communication.
The Motorola handsets have been modified to disable internet access, SMS text services and video and voice-mail applications.
Growing concern that new-generation mobile phones could threaten the conservative, ultra-Orthodox values and way of life, particularly among the young, led to a rabbinical committee being formed to examine the issue.
Rabbis say that they are not against technology as a matter of course. But they fear that the latest feature-packed telephones coming to the market will provide the opportunity to access corrupting influences".
Sabbath rules prohibit writing, playing musical instruments, music, and using money or telephone. Some ultra-Orthodox rabbis forbid television and the internet as corrupting influences.
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