By Itamar Eichner, YnetNews.com
A newly-purchased device will enable Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak to his religious advisers during Shabbat.
Netanyahu’s bureau employs the highest number of religious workers since Israel’s establishments and most of his aides are observing Jews.
The prime minister has now found a way to communicate with them during Shabbat. His bureau has purchased 12 special phones allowing the parties to talk during Shabbat with no fear of desecration.
Among those who received the “Shabbat phones” are National Security Council head Yaakov Amidror, Bureau Chief Natan Eshel, Bureau manager Gil Shefer, political advisor Ron Dermer and Prime Minister’s Office Director-General Eyal Gabay.
Some observing Mossad and Shin Bet men also received such phones. The devices are estimated to cost NIS 1,119 (roughly $330).
The Shabbat phone was created by the Zomet Institute which specializes in adapting medical and security equipment for Shabbat use.
It utilizes a special technology: A special mechanism scans the phone for activity regularly. This way when the user presses buttons, picks up the phone or hangs up he is not directly activating the device. Actions are performed only when the scan picks up on them thus cancelling out the electrical aspect.
The phone is installed on a regular line and can be turned into a regular phone with one click.
“If the user realizes the call isn’t justified or is not urgent we recommend that they ask the caller to postpone the call until after Shabbat,” Rabbi Yisrael Rosen, Zomet Institute head said.
“But if the phone has already been picked up, there is no problem, as the actual action of talking on an already open device does not constitute Shabbat desecration.”
Some people here seem to think that it means “it’s all muttar now!” and some think the this is a big disgrace and chillul, etc. You are both wrong. This isn’t something new. This organization, Tzomet, has been around for a long time, and the main purpose in their inventing these devices is to find ways how to *minimize* chilul shabbos in hospitals, military, etc. So they try to get them to use these Shabbos devices, which lessen the issurim. In short, these devices are not simply “muttar” for use on Shabbos. It is only to lessen the severity of… Read more »
and #6 does know how…
There are 3 types of people: those that know how to count and those that don’t..
Shabbos! Shabbos!
The Isurim are for us to remember the Holiness of shabbos, not to make our lives difficult!
Besides, theres something called “uvdin d’chol”.
Even if it was written as a joke, in every joke is a bit of truth…
The entire beauty of Shabbos is a REST from normal weekday activities. Imagine Shabbos where instead of learning or resting, everyone was busy on their Shabbos phone, computer, Internet, tv, driving in their Shabbos cars and listening to their Shabbos radios!
It sounds preposterous, right?
shabbos elevator and phone? y not the shabbos car and shabbos credit card, maybe even a shabbos computer LOL
WHAT A DISGRACE!!!
to comments 1 – 14. Ameratzim! why don’t you ask a Rov who knows halocho/technology instead of giving psokim from your pupiks!
You would be allowed to use a microphone that is left on before shabbos……..
Sounds like a VERY big Kulah and is probably only fit to use in a time of sakanah
Phones of this type seem to be in the category of “Grama” which is permitted in a case of great need.
to be used for the security of millions of yidden. but surly not fit for use by the regular shabboss observer
no matter how advanced it gets – a microphone, a telephone still work essentially the same as they always did. when you talk – you are creating pulses and waves which are then processed on the receiving end, and come out as intelligible sounds. How is this mutor on shabbos?! If everything is so KOSHER, why did the Rebbe refuse to start a farbrengen on shabbos when someone hid a microphone in the table-leg? Talking on ANY phone is OSSUR! if it’s pikuach nefesh it’s a different story. “national security” does not constitute pikuach nefesh, unless it’s an immediate direct… Read more »
now netantahus ‘the good guy’ ? what happened to HIM being not mechalal shabbos? hes just avoiding the isue!
there is already a microphone that is allowed on shabbat, i believe created by this same organization, and there are already 10-12 religious shuls that use it in Israel
Do u think they can get me a shabbes TV remote ?
I think a lot more people might start keeping shabbes than
sounds like at least an improvement for hatzala. maybe also to be used mainstream soon?
Sounds like a Shabbos elevator.. What about the actual effect talking on the device has? True, though, that SZ Aubach maintained that there is nothing prohibitive of electric use on Shabbos – but this sounds like the Shabbos Microphone. The Rebbe once told a group of people in the ’40’s there are four types of Jews: Those who know science and Halacha, those who know science, those who know halacha and those who know neither. “I”, the Rebbe Said, “Have a degree in engineering and smicha and fit it to the first group. Anyone who says a microphone can be… Read more »
maybe we can have computers and other electronics set up this way so we can all enjoy these activities on shabbat?
i think it is not needed. if it is a matter of national security then it is allowed to talk on the phone anyway and if it is not then they dont answer the phone
hey this is cool! where can i buy one? 😉
xcool
Does this mean that there is a mechanism to make a kosher l’shabbos microphone to be used in a shul ??
Pls G-d they should announce the coming of Moshiach….