Beersheva Magistrate’s Court Justice Yisrael Axlerod has had enough of the cellular telephones that ring during hearings – so much so that he has posted a judicial decision that anyone whose phone rings during a hearing will be fined NIS 500.
He explains that cellular telephones are to be turned off before entering a courtroom hearing but many fail to comply. The ringing of a phone results in interruptions and he is no longer willing to tolerate such occurrences in his courtroom.
Some attorney’s challenge the judge’s authority to make such a ruling, to fine offenders, but they do not indicate if they plan to take their objections to court.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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500 NIS = approximately $140 USD.
I wonder what would happen if shuls would make a similar “takana” that anyone whose cell phone goes off in middle of shul, has to give (only) a $36 “knas” to the designated pushka!
I think that we would very quickly be moving towards enhanced decorum in our Batei Mikdash Me’at.
Food for thought for all “synagogue board of directors” out there.