Jews upset by Harry Potter
Published 20 July, 2007, 05:34
Harry Potter and the Rabbis of Israel look set to clash when the wizard's new adventures are released at midnight on July 21. Bookshops will stay open through the night everywhere. This may accommodate the fans' needs, yet orthodox Jews are concerned the book's launch contravenes the law of the Sabbath.
At the stroke of midnight Saturday, whether in dreary cold London or bustling Berlin, book lovers around the world are likely to be clambering at their favourite bookstores. Their mission is to get their hands on the latest Harry Potter sensation.
But across the Mediterranean Sea in Israel, waves of a different kind are being made. Israeli stores have pledged to go ahead with the global media event for what is expected to be the fastest-selling book in history.
But religious Jews say they will dispatch inspectors to fine and prosecute those opening at the agreed hour. Saturday morning is part of the Jewish Sabbath – a day in which, according to Jewish belief, it is prohibited to do business.
The Jewish Sabbath runs from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. While most Israelis are secular, the country's shops generally close for 24 hours whether for convenience or tradition.
Many religious Jews are not keen Harry Potter fans. They have tried to prevent their children from reading the books because of what they call its “pagan” content.
But still, the market there is big enough to prompt salesmen to take the risk of being fined and open her shop on Saturday.
Harry Potter has been a global sensation for years and this is the final chapter for the young wizard. Millions of copies of the final Harry Potter book have been shipped to all corners of the world. But in Israel, the world's most famous boy wizard is going to need a little more than magic to pacify the country's leading rabbis.
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