tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994561579739999989.post358785853464990195..comments2024-02-28T10:15:50.335+02:00Comments on Lotus Evangelist: Computer Use on ShabbatKeith Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107190540208956954noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994561579739999989.post-83215037665751881402011-01-07T21:11:04.240+02:002011-01-07T21:11:04.240+02:00Jerry,
I am always happy to talk to people about ...Jerry, <br />I am always happy to talk to people about this, but best to do via voice as it is an interactive discussion.<br />email me or skype me anytime.<br />I like your idea, as does a whole segment of Judaism, just not the orthodox side which believes following the guidelines is how one gets to have the conversation in the first place.<br />I don't personally see it that way, and do feel more along your thoughts that its a conversation between me and God.Keith Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11107190540208956954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994561579739999989.post-41167356069678322272011-01-07T19:57:24.370+02:002011-01-07T19:57:24.370+02:00Hi Keith,
I think the crux of it comes down to th...Hi Keith,<br /><br />I think the crux of it comes down to the difference between legalism and worship. Granted, it's hard for me to relate, not being Jewish, but that seems to be the essence of the discussion. If I make my focus the worship and communion with God, texting, putting on socks, driving to temple or church... setting aside the day is setting it aside and I guess individual flexibility in that regard depends on ones relationship to and understanding of God: whether more graceful or more jealous.<br /><br />In either case, thanks for discussing this as it helps me know other faithful more fully.<br /><br />Warmest regards,<br /><br />JerryJerry Carternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994561579739999989.post-57056355817200292232011-01-06T16:33:27.051+02:002011-01-06T16:33:27.051+02:00Stuart, Our Rabbi, Rabbi Goldberg discussed this t...Stuart, Our Rabbi, Rabbi Goldberg discussed this texting on shabbat a few months back. Not in such depth but have not heard the term half shabbat. Odd, but then as it points out, is selecting your socks not allowed either? Decisions, decisions.Keith Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11107190540208956954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994561579739999989.post-87207356896108514732011-01-06T04:17:44.328+02:002011-01-06T04:17:44.328+02:00Hi Keith...nice post. In the last couple of months...Hi Keith...nice post. In the last couple of months, I've been seeing references to the concept of 'half-shabbos'. Here's an entry point into the discussion:<br /><br />http://kavvanah.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/half-shabbos/Stuart Bogomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994561579739999989.post-29827942600820391432011-01-06T03:29:05.478+02:002011-01-06T03:29:05.478+02:00Jerry, Never said they couldn't or can't d...Jerry, Never said they couldn't or can't do it, in fact many prayer books, talmud and other texts are available online and for phones/ipads etc..<br />The choice of not doing it, however, for religious reasons is interesting.<br />I know its not always easy for people to understand, but orthodox Jewish people really do not use(physically touch, turn on/off, etc.) electronic devices. In fact there are arguments still about refrigerators, hot water tanks and other near necessities of existence in a house.<br />The Torah or Old Testament, Exodus 20:10 says (basic translation here): but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.<br /><br />So no, working on the Sabbath is prohibited. There are exceptions, generally for medical reasons.<br /><br />I have used, many years ago, an excellent Palm app(remember the palm pilot) to pray and it in no way takes away from the experience. For me. Others prefer a book, still others repeat from memory.<br /><br />There happens to be some excellent Firefox plugins to search hebrew texts which I have used at times, so the ancient traditions and texts live quite well in the modern age. Just not on the Sabbath for me digitally.<br /><br />Old ways are never forgotten, but sometimes parts of them do fade away.Keith Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11107190540208956954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994561579739999989.post-76837631030951052302011-01-06T03:20:24.331+02:002011-01-06T03:20:24.331+02:00Roy, what part of thou shalt not kill, which by th...Roy, what part of thou shalt not kill, which by the way predates judaisim, don't you think is relevant? Hammurabi had some right didn't he?Keith Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11107190540208956954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994561579739999989.post-16553427901450219772011-01-05T23:36:18.180+02:002011-01-05T23:36:18.180+02:00I find it ironic that people still follow "ru...I find it ironic that people still follow "rules" written thousands of years ago as if they are relevant today.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03485179018454153464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994561579739999989.post-31371685879545330872011-01-05T23:33:59.074+02:002011-01-05T23:33:59.074+02:00Interesting post, Keith. My wife uses e-sword at ...Interesting post, Keith. My wife uses e-sword at times (even in church) as a means to carry around a bookshelf worth of commentaries and translations in her pocket. One might argue observance is enhanced in the case where otherwise bulky material can be condensed to a more portable format. Certainly it would be easier to have a holy text available while in the field if it all fit on a small PDA. <br /><br />I like what Jesus Christ said, though, best in situations like this. "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." For a Christian, this makes it a much easier thing - observe because it's the right thing to do. If you need to take care of a small part of business in the midst of this (like starting up your iPad) are you violating God's law? Seems not, but I suppose it depends on how orthodox one is.<br /><br />I think the crux of the issue is whether one wishes to ascribe sanctification to a printed text while withholding it from an electronic version that has a different means of flipping pages. It's God's inspired Word. It's as valuable and sacred as printed as when spoken by a preacher, teacher or Rabbi. <br /><br />However, the Luddite in me worries terribly that allowing a flood of new ways means older (more reliable?) ways will be forgotten and lost.Jerry Carternoreply@blogger.com