Among the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, there is concern that cell phones with certain features could lead to immodesty among its community members. In an effort to combat that, but make cell phones available still, the community’s rabbis have decided to review and kosher certify certain phones with limited features.
Friday afternoon can be a stressful time in Stamford Hill, a working class neighborhood in northern London.
The ultra orthodox Jews, are in a rush to buy challah, rugalach and other Jewish baked goods so they can take it easy after sunset, when the Sabbath starts. Resting on the Sabbath is part of an effort to live as closely as possible to Jewish law.
But despite the community’s traditional ways, the members aren’t opposed to new things.
“Anything that can be used to enhance Judaism is welcomed,” said Rabbi Chanoch Kesselman. “But like so many things there are uses and abuses.”
Rabbi Chanoch Kesselman represents the British rabbinate, the main Jewish authority in Britain. Kesselman said the Internet, for example, offers access to valuable religious texts and discussions. But the rabbi said it can also lead to immodesty. He said in the same way, cell phones can help people do business or help parents keep track of their children. But they also can lead children astray.
“The rabbinate was very concerned that cell phones with texting facility should not be used by youngsters,” said Kesselman.
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2 Responses
Kosher certification for cell phones? I didn’t know some of them were edible. But I have to admit I never tried to eat one. Each to his own.
“Rabbi Chanoch Kesselman represents the British rabbinate, the main Jewish authority in Britain. ”
What does this mean? Rabbi Kesselman is from the Union (aka “Kedassia”), not from the “British rabbinate”. If there is one body that can be called the “British rabbinate” it’s the United Synagogue, headed by the Chief Rabbi and the London Beis Din.