Gadgets help Jews observe Sabbath
Published: 22 May, 2009, 15:02
Edited: 29 November, 2009, 01:17
In a hi-tech world, Orthodox Jews observing the Sabbath face a problem using modern gadgets because they're not allowed to do any work. An Israeli company has recently come up with some ingenious solutions.
I would like to correct a recurring misconception regarding the prohibitions of the Jewish Sabbath. The Bible does not prohibit "work" or "labor" as we commonly think of it, but, what might be called "creative activity." This activity must fulfill certain criteria to be prohibited on the Sabbath.
Those who use these gadgets are disingenuous and pretending to be pious is obscene. The handicapped are exempt but others with minor inconveniences can be observant Jew at home on the Sabbath without gadgets. Many rules written 5000 years ago are not appropriate or compatible with modern life. Do you think the god of Abraham such a fool that he doesn't know the orthodox and hasidic rabbis are gaming him to retain dominion over the people?
Amigo Mobility International developed 40 years ago the first three wheeled scooter for handicapped people. Now we are selling a Shabbat version to orthodox Jews in the United States and across the world. It is a scooter that can be used seven days a week; it is halachically authorized for use on Shabbat by the Zomet institute in Israel.