Business
Partner to provide kosher cell phones
Gil Kalian
Published: 20.02.06, 14:34
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19 Talkbacks for this article
1. Kosher phones
Barry ,   Tel Aviv   (02.20.06)
This is a perfect case of how a large consumer group has been able to influence a company to provide services. The cell phone providers have been forcing people to pay for ludicrous services that they don't need. In fact, there have been a significant number of non-chareidi customers, buying these phones for their children, because they are restricted to phone calls only. Perhaps all Israeli consumers will be able to learn the lesson, and force the large companies to provide us with what we want, instead of what they feel is best for us. The days of the big paternalistic companies is over.
2. I don't get it.
Adam   (02.20.06)
Can an Orthodox Jew please explain to me what a Kosher cell phone is? Is it just one with only-call features or are there other specifics that it must have? And why are phones with all the other features not allowed to be used? Thanks!
3. #2
MIKE ,   EILAT   (02.20.06)
it switches off on friday, saturday and hagim it has a sticker on it saying its kosher --thats usually enough. and to number #1 the cellphones are getting close to what i want (therefore i am not one of your "us") i want more--,pda,bluetooth,wireless,ptt (push to talk) if you dont want those features 1) dont bye a cellphone 2)use bezek call phones
4. Response to I don't get it
Ken ,   US   (02.20.06)
I'm Orthodox. I don't get it either !
5. can you eat that?
(02.20.06)
6. answer to 2
Sam   (02.20.06)
The kosher phone is restricted only to phone calls; the reason given for the need to disable sms messages is that children or even adults should not get involved with people that they shouldn’t according to the halachic rule. For example kids should not have an option to talk to girls without their parents consent. With a cell phone no one would ever answer the phone only they would no about the relationship which goes against ultra orthodox rule. The question remains the phone call can still be made how does sms reflect on stopping it, the answer is the language Hebrew has masculine and famine words in it so parents would be able to know who there child is talking to but sms messages are confidential and a child would not refrain from conversing in that way. (I don’t think it is an end to the problem of which they encounter but I guess it is a start)
7. Haredim as bad as Islamists
Zak ,   Petah Tikvah   (02.20.06)
Well, in terms of modernity, anyways. I don't see Haredim running around, freaking out, and killing people.
8. Kosher cell phone, I'd like one. 1st I would
Bunnie Meyer ,   Santa Monica, CA   (02.20.06)
not have to deal with remembering to turn the phone off on Friday night, no calls could ring in, no one could call out. That is just plain nice and convenient. 2nd. I don't use the cell for web and don't need text messaging from spammers or porno people. 3rd. If I had a child I wouldn't want anyone sending garbage to them on their cell phone. A plain phone can be very, very nice. I don't even have call waiting because trying to flip between two calls while driving is just plain nuts. No one is forced to buy a "Kosher" phone, they can but whatever they want. Admittedly, Kosher is a poor choice for describing the phones and "Limited" or "Restricted" would make more sense to most people. Would it become non-kosher if it was handed back by someone who had just eaten a cheeseburger and had not wiped his hands?
9. Kosher Phones
Yisrael ,   Jerusalem Israel   (02.20.06)
This is just one more reason the secular think the orthodox are looney, and I am orthodox !
10. What so the phones aren't made out of pork?
Seth ,   Washington, DC   (02.21.06)
11. To #9
mordipa ,   Ma'ale Adumim   (02.21.06)
As an Orthodox Jew, you would surely understand that a G-d fearing Jew would want to block out unacceptable text messages just as one would not bring immodest publications into one's home. I also strongly object to the whole tone of the article. How about if we simply change the consumer product like this: “After refusing to comply with recommendations to supply Maccabi Beer by the Israeli Beer Society and only stocking European Lager, SuperSol, the leading Israeli supermarket decided to surrender." Ever heard of “supply and demand”? Personally I cannot stand beer but I would not call those that demand its sale loonies just because I do not want this product.
12. Suprised
Michael ,   Tel Aviv   (02.21.06)
Before coming to Israel I only knew that pork and mixing meat with dairy products is not kosher. That cell phones or whiskey can be non-kosher is still a surprise to me. But: everone should consume what he or she wants. As a parent I would definitely like these phones! Shalom.
13. "religious"
John ,   Jerusalem   (02.21.06)
The sheer absurdity of the self-proclaimed "religious" truly knows no bounds. I think that for fear of being immodest that they should just stay indoors all day, or is that also forbidden by the rabbis???
14. FROM A CONVERT
MD ,   DENMARK   (02.21.06)
I am shaking my head in disbelief...How can non-orthodox Jews, even Israelis be so intolorant? I tip my hat and bend my head in deepest respect for the orthodox people...these are true Jews who perform the ultimate selfcontrol regarding religion....WHY DO YOU MOCK THEM???? Why is it so provocative to call a silly cellphone kosher??? Show tolorance towards your fellow Jews all of you and get real
15. #14 Converted To Wrong Religion If He Can't Take A Joke
Seth ,   Washington, DC   (02.21.06)
16. "kosher" people
David Borizon ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (02.21.06)
to all of you, religious people: Can't you control yourselves? your phone needs to switch off automatically on friday? This is just a Taliban-like thing. If someone doesn' t want to talk on saturday, then he won't. Why the need of the device itself to shut off? And on other hand, if someone anyway wants to send SMS, surf the internet or talk on saturday, he also will. Just go on check any Steimatzki, any cafe internet in Jerualem and you will see haredim eyeing porno mags, and young haredim watching TV among other things, in the computers.
17. #7 you lack intelligence
Ilan ,   Ariel   (02.23.06)
Can you not differentiate between Haredim demanding a program of services to fit their needs and some outside group imposing that choice upon others?
18. to Bunnie Meyer #8
Hilda ,   USA   (02.23.06)
I'm with you honey. All this nonsense. Probably becomes tref if a woman talks on it especially one who doesn't wear a shetel. I have a plain phone, doesn't do anything except send and receive calls. I only use it in an emergency.
19. Why they need it
Menashe ,   Jerusalem   (03.23.06)
The reason the Rabbis want Kosher phones is simple. SMS messages can be sent to any phone from any phone . Now whats unique about SMS is the recipient has no choice but to read the message that pops up on the screen. When one gets a phone call they would rather not ,they can simply hang up . Not so with SMS you read whats in front of you weather you like it or not .We all know how our culture changed with the invention of Instant messages, its the hybird bet the phone and email a unique tool for communication . Now what happnes when you have boys and girls texting eachother? your asking for trouble. Inn regard to all the other tecnologys available on the phone today incluiding web access with instant annoumos covert access to X rated matirel. Its just a way for the Rabbis to protect their flock from dangerious situations and temptions
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