Ultra-Orthodox Rabbis: iPhones Capable of a ‘Great Amount of Destruction’
- Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:34am by
Liz Klimas
- Print »
- Email »
While almost all of the Western world seems to be glued to their smartphones, tablets, and other devices that can connect them to the Internet, a very conservative sect of Orthodox Jews may be looking to shun the devices.
Ynet News reports that rabbis in the more extreme faction Eda Haredit have published ads — pashkevilim — that condemn these devices, specifically Apple products, as leading to “a great amount of destruction” and having a poor effect on children’s education:
An Eda Haredit source told Ynet’s local portal, Mynet, that the new battle was launched due to the smartphones’ growing popularity in the haredi sector.
“We have a problem,” he admits. “The different iPhones are no longer just phones, but computers for all intents and purposes, and some of the people have become accustomed to buying them.
“Therefore, we decided to issue ads against their possession, call on the public to avoid using them and warn against the spiritual danger they conceal,” he explained.
Ynet News reports that the group is already known for condemning portable media players, such as MP3 players, as “the devil’s way of driving people to sin.” The Orthodox Religious Court of Law banned stores from putting these devices on their shelves.
Comments (19)
Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 589 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 415 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 414 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 379 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 375 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 415 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 414 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 379 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 151 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know 100 Comments- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 303 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 415 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
vaman
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 5:05pmCrazy stuff, coming from crazy people. I wonder why they fear technology so much? Technology has allowed all of us access to all the information the world has to offer, freeing the mind to think independently. They certainly would not like that.
Report Post »Docrow
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 9:42pmLast time I checked Jesus was the only way. Not sure using or not using an iPhone has anything to do with getting to heaven.
………as I type from my iPhone………
Report Post »Catherine A.
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 9:17pmI think calling the rabbis “kooks” is a bit premature, since the article did not do a very good job of presenting their position. Exactly how and why the devices are causing people to sin is not made clear.
I would like to hear more from the rabbis, because I doubt they took this position without some deliberation. I have an iPhone and a Kindle Fire, and although I find both of them to be amazing devices, there is no doubt that having a computer available in my purse and right at my bedside table has not been without problems, just one of which is sleep deprivation. For quite a while I have maintained the practice of abstaining from computer activity on Sundays as a religious discipline. Having an iPhone and a Kindle Fire has made this increasingly difficult. A quick check of the weather turns into a quick look at email, which turns into checking the news, and before I know it I‘ve wasted two hours of the Lord’s Day worrying about worldly concerns as usual. I suspect that may be part of what the rabbis were addressing.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 8:54pmthey give not one legitimate claim as to why they should not own them. I am a Messianic Jew, loads of us on the site have read our Bibles and mine says not one word about iphones. If it becomes addictive and is ruining your life get rid of it but seriously whether we like it or not our children need to be able to utilize this technology to get jobs in this ever tech savvy and changing world. I am buying my 8 year old an ipad this month, hopefully it will help him learn to keep up in the marketplace when it comes time. Do I like that he will have an ipad? No. But he needs to be using this type of tech now so he can prosper later
Report Post »CulperGang
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 8:48pmHaredi=taliban of Judaism. Reality: The old geezers are losing their “mind control” of the sect, to the MODERN WORLD. This sect is on its way out as the younger generation want their freedom of choices from the stifling doctrines of these miserly, greedy old geezers. The “flock” has to pay HUGE fealty money to these old geezers or be ostracised and harassed. The sect is a cult.
Report Post »ZebulonBrady
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 8:32pmGo buy a new stove… they come with “Sabbath mode” so you can use technology with out using technology. Maybe they can come out with a ‘Sabbath mode’ for an iPhone too.
Report Post »If you are going to follow the orthodox religion, then you shouldn’t use ANY technology on the Sabbath. That includes your furnace, electric lights, stove, phone, defibrillator, etc. You make a mockery of your religion if you use any of these items on the Sabbath. You are letting Satan in.
josh345
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 8:22pmWow. I have seen men in traditional Orthodox garb going about in Israel with all sorts of modern devices. As a matter of fact, many of these religious men are actually technologically “savvy.” What these people are doing is shedding a bad light on the Orthodox movement — what a bunch of crazy people!
Report Post »TheDM
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 8:13pmReligious Fundamentalism is always crazy. Look at the US to see equally crazy whackadoodles.
PROTIP: It’s not the left.
Report Post »BLADESKATER00
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 6:50pmThese people are not ultra orthodox–they are Godless hate filled ignorant fools!
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:02pm“they are Godless hate filled ignorant fools”
Report Post »Yeah–the ultra Orthodox.
The Third Archon
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 6:17pmLOL–conservative Luddites will be conservative Luddites.
Report Post »jawwah
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 4:55pmyour kidding me right????? the iphone is an amazing device!!!!!! you can do so much on it and it makes your life so much easier!!!! the iphone is like a gun it can be used for good but it can also be used for bad just like anything in the world
Report Post »eric55
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 3:47pmits 100% right, its bad enough to be on facebook youtube or god knows what on your office and home computer with the smartphone your on it all day long and just tune life out no kids no wife no friends just facebook and now you tell me if its not destroying lives of course it is
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 6:17pmWhy not just abandon electricity induction all together.
Report Post »Nehemiah6.3
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 3:05pmIts like all addictions, whether it be alcohol, drugs, porn, or computer games, Facebook, or any technology. All addictions will lead you towards spiritual destruction, followed by family destruction, followed by community, state and Nation destruction. All of these things are a waste of time, and God has told us not to be idle. If you are addicted to your cell phone it does not matter if it is an apple product. Do you recharge your cell phone battery more often than your recharge your spiritual battery. I am sure that if Church were the only place on the earth that you could charge your cell phones, the churches would be overflowing with people.
Report Post »I think all of us should take a new look at our addictions. It may surprise you what they are and how dependent you have become.
MammalOne
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 2:50pmI love how there’s no explanation. Just “iPhones lead to sin!!! Don’t buy them!!!!!”
MP3 players??? Really? What if I listen to orthodox jewish music all day? Is that opening the gates to spiritual damnation?
Thanks, religion.
Report Post »Quiata
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 4:01pmActually, even listening to religious music excessively would be considered self-indulgence or even gluttony (especially if other life duties were neglected)…therefore, a sin.
The Seven Deadly Sins (fit the corresponding technology-induced behavior to the corresponding sin):
Wrath
Report Post »Gluttony
Sloth
Vanity
Envy
Lust
Greed
Quiata
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 5:11pmMaybe a modern addition to that list would be “distraction” (!!!)
Report Post »nappy
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 1:44pmkooks.
Report Post »