technological innovations
4
votes
2answers
348 views
Looking for daf yomi app recommendations
Are there any good daf yomi apps? I saw the video for the artscroll app but it doesn't seem to be out yet. Any recommendations?
7
votes
0answers
83 views
Does closing a browser with His name count as a sin? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Hashems name on device
Is it permissible to erase the name of G-d from an E-reader?
What are the practical limits of shaimos in the common era?
Forgive me if I get ...
7
votes
3answers
148 views
Robot as a competent proxy?
Would those who hold that a minor can serve as an agent in Jewish law (for a d'var r'shus - discretionary act, not a mitzva) hold similarly for a sufficiently intelligent and self-aware robot? The ...
8
votes
1answer
87 views
Attending a Siyum virtually
If one attends a Siyum virtually, whether by phone, Skype, or some other means of mass communication, can one partake of the Se'udath Mitzvah (relevant to allow eating during the 9 Days for Ashkenazim ...
10
votes
3answers
178 views
“Silk-Screened” Sifrei Torah
What are the halachic issues with Silk-screened sifrei torah? I am interested in a summary of concise halakhic rulings of multiple authorities on the prohibition or permissibility of HaRav Yitzchak ...
3
votes
1answer
266 views
7
votes
2answers
122 views
Cryonics in Judaism
I was recently reading an article about cryogenics, there are around 200 bodies frozen in cryogenics labs around the world, and in the article they said that in the near future they may be able to ...
7
votes
1answer
165 views
Electronic communication immediately before wedding
Is it permissible to chat with your future spouse during the week before the wedding when you are not supposed to see each other face to face? Are any, all, or none of the following permissible:
...
1
vote
1answer
289 views
Does Jewish law forbid Internet usage?
The Ichud HaKehillos LeTohar HaMachane anti-Internet rally is coming up in a few weeks, on May 20, 2012. What do contemporary halakhic authorities say about the permissibility or prohibition of using ...
10
votes
3answers
267 views
DNA and Jewish Law
Why isn't DNA seen as a valid source of Halachic decision making?
Is it because it's too small for the naked eye? A margin of error propblem? What?
Normally, physical evidence is plenty of ...
7
votes
6answers
313 views
A letter prohibiting television?
I don't have the book myself, but I believe it is called To Touch Kindle a Soul, on chinuch. It contains, in the endnotes a reference to a letter written by Rav Moshe Feinstein zt'l, Rav Shach zt'l, ...
5
votes
0answers
68 views
Is it acceptable to use software which incidentally blocks ads?
A question on this site on whether ad-blocking software is permissible suggests that the answer is that it probably, but not definitely, is acceptable.
I don't use ad-blocking software myself, but I ...
6
votes
3answers
163 views
electronic Olam Haba
When Moshisch comes (Biezras Hashem) will there be technology like, computers, cars, electricity, etc?
8
votes
4answers
604 views
Who determines the kosher status of “new” foods?
Who determines the kosher status for "new" processed foods (e.g. Jell-O)? A few orthodox rabbis' approval? General consensus by the Jewish religious community? Certain kosher standards organizations? ...
12
votes
1answer
390 views
Food in bathroom
Is one allowed to take food into the bathroom? I heard that the prohibiton is only on the type of bathroom used years ago.
2
votes
1answer
386 views
Why should A Capella music be allowed during Sefirah?
I'd like to breathe new life into, and put a new spin on, this thread: http://mi.yodeya.com/questions/1046/live-vs-recorded-music-during-the-omer
So, a series of questions:
I'm not sure how I feel ...
7
votes
5answers
323 views
Will rabbis allow brainy Shabbat driving?
Saw this news story a few days ago about a car being driven with just thought, using a special cap with sensors.
http://www.jpost.com/Sci-Tech/Article.aspx?id=215704
To me this still seems entirely ...
8
votes
1answer
711 views
Can a live video feed remove the prohibition of Yichud?
I was wondering if and how a public videostream could affect a potential yichud situation. For example, may a single guy and girl be secluded if they set up a continuously broadcasting camera and ...
2
votes
0answers
116 views
Prosthetic limbs in halacha [closed]
What is the status of prosthetic limbs in halacha? For example would a prosthetic hand require netilas yadayim? Is there a difference depending on what material it is made out of?
5
votes
1answer
56 views
Birkot HaTorah and Typing
Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 47:3) as well as Yalkut Yosef (47:14) write that before one writes down words of Torah, he must recite Birkot HaTorah (because people that write sometimes voice their ...
7
votes
2answers
173 views
How to learn Amidah, Shma and others?
I live 3000km from shul and take conversion classes remotely. I am learning from Koren Siddur. Because I do not ever hear how the words should be spoken, I sometimes wonder if it is a waste of time. I ...
4
votes
1answer
327 views
Hashems name on device
Is there any issue regarding deleting electronic files with Hashem's Name, and also is there any issue taking such a device into the bathroom.
4
votes
2answers
257 views
Does anyone know where one can buy a hebrewbooks harddrive?
I am looking to purchase a hebrewbooks hard drive (It may very well come handy here!).
Does anyone know where can I buy it online? (eichlers, etc.)
-4
votes
3answers
364 views
Is Sex Outside Marriage Still a Sin After the Invention of Paternity Tests?
I asked something like this. The reasoning if I can remember:
You should not sell your daughter as prostitute.
Rambam said that all sex outside marriage is prostitution.
Therefore sex outside ...
11
votes
2answers
416 views
Am I allowed to view a Kotel Cam on Shabbos?
If there is a camera in Israel that is operating on Shabbos, am I (a person living in America, where Shabbos only starts 6 or 7 hours later) allowed to view such a camera?
I suppose the same could be ...
7
votes
1answer
149 views
What is the best online English translation of Tanach?
I am aware of a number of partial or complete English translations of Tana"ch online, but I am wondering if there are any I am unaware of, especially that fulfill the following criteria:
Precision ...
4
votes
1answer
153 views
How can I slow-cook dairy if my slow-cooker is meat?
I have a (meat) slow-cooker and very occasionally want to be able to slow-cook dairy foods. Is it possible to adapt my existing appliance for this purpose?
The slow-cooker consists of a glazed clay ...
9
votes
2answers
252 views
Why is it ok to use tap water/toilets on Shabbos? Considering the source of the water pressure
Why is it ok to use tap water/toilets on Shabbos? Considering the source of the water pressure.
The water pressure that enables the water to flow out of the tap has to come from somewhere. It is ...
3
votes
4answers
327 views
Computer Support for Nekudos
Can it hurt to include Nekudos (vowel marks) when typing Hebrew? Do all systems that support Hebrew lettering automatically support Nekudos? If not, do they at least degrade gracefully?
10
votes
3answers
245 views
Glow sticks on Shabbos
May one activate a glow stick on Shabbos? (In other words, is there a prohibition on activating the chemical reaction which produces the light in a glow stick?)
14
votes
3answers
309 views
Is ad-blocker software permissible?
Kalashnikover_Rebbe at hashkafah.com asks:
Isn't blocking ads stealing??? The people put them on the sites for a reason....
He elaborates:
On one hand the argument can be made that [forum ...
15
votes
2answers
265 views
Does artificial meat grown in a petri dish have the halachic status of meat?
Scientists are developing means of growing artificial meat in a petri dish. Does such 'meat' have the halachic status of meat?
Source: ...
8
votes
3answers
138 views
Beracha upon seeing a friend on a webcam
The Shulchan Aruch (OC 225:1) rules:
שולחן ערוך אורח חיים הלכות ברכת הפירות סימן רכה
הרואה את חבירו
לאחר שלשים יום, אומר: שהחיינו, ואחר י"ב חדש מברך: מחיה
מתים, והוא שחביב עליו הרבה ושמח ...
10
votes
6answers
244 views
Technological innovations and halacha
A generally accepted halachic principle is that the Torah was not given to angels. As such, halacha is only applied within normal human capabilities.
A classic example is that one is not required to ...
6
votes
3answers
120 views
Amen for Recorded Brochos
Many times I listen to recorded Shiurim (lectures) where the speaker says a Brocho (usually Shehakol on a drink). Should one answer Amen to such Brochos?
6
votes
2answers
161 views
Is Listening to a Torah Tape considered Talmud Torah?
It says in the Baal HaTanya's Hilchos Talmud Torah that one fulfills his obligation to learn Torah only if he says the words. Moreover, a Chavrusa fulfills his obligation only because Shomeya Keoneh.
...
6
votes
1answer
115 views
Dropping a phone siddur or chumash
If you have a siddur or chumash on your phone and you drop it, do you kiss it if...
the siddur is not open
the siddur is open, but shem hashem is not showing
the siddur is open and shem Hashem is ...
10
votes
1answer
184 views
Opening an umbrella indoors
Is there anything wrong with opening up an umbrella indoors according to Jewish tradition?
I have met many people who view it as bad luck or possibly rude.
On the other hand we are commanded not to ...
4
votes
2answers
63 views
Is a head-mounted lamp better than a candle for bedikas chometz?
A LED or Xenon lamp attached to the head (link shows example) seems to be ideal for bedikas chometz and superior to a candle? Do contemporary poskim offer a view?
6
votes
1answer
54 views
Water from hydroelectric plant for netilat yadayim?
The Shulchan Aruch OC 160:2 rules that water with which one has done "melachah," is disqualified from netilat yadayim. Does this include water which has flowed downstream from a hydroelectric plant?
5
votes
2answers
119 views
Is glow in the dark Jewelry muktzeh?
Is a glow in the dark necklace or bracelet muktzeh? Would any action I needed to take matter if I was already wearing it before Shabbat started?
4
votes
2answers
146 views
What does “aerosol” have to do with spitting in the wind, or winnowing?
In this answer over here it is explained, that a "question" comes up with aerosol cans, based on a gemora which asks if spitting in the wind counts as winnowing.
Now, the spitting in the wind case ...
7
votes
2answers
193 views
Can you leave video chat on over Shabbos?
Basically:
Can you leave your computer with video chat on (to another person) on over shabbos? And what if there's also audio?
For example a relative in the hospital, relatives that in a far away ...
7
votes
2answers
310 views
Is there any issue with using aerosols on Shabbos?
I've heard from many people that you shouldn't use aerosols (such as air fresheners, disinfectants or deodorants) on shabbos, usually citing some vague reason of changing the form from liquid to gas, ...
11
votes
2answers
174 views
Rabbinic Responses to Landline Telephones
Recently the use of cellphones and smartphones has met with a lot of criticism in some communities. I'd be interested to see if landline telephones encountered any similar opposition when they were ...
7
votes
2answers
231 views
Voice-activated electronics on Shabbat
Does using a voice-activated device constitute a melacha?
For example, Siri on an iphone
or, a even a voice-activated light-switch.
Does it make a difference if the computer doesn't take direct ...
2
votes
4answers
304 views
Looking for a good English-to-Hebrew translation software
I'm looking for a translation software, or website, that accurately translates entire sentences and paragraphs from English to Hebrew, without grammar mistakes or funny language usage. Anyone know of ...
10
votes
1answer
148 views
May one reheat food on top of a crock-pot or urn on Shabbos?
According to my understanding cooked or baked food that is currently cold, may be placed on top of a pot that is on a blech on Shabbos to warm up.
What about putting cooked or baked foods on top of ...
6
votes
1answer
178 views
Do Orthodox synagogues have audio induction loops? Can they use them on Shabbat?
Let's assume we follow Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's ruling that hearing aids are permitted on Shabbat, but microphones are not.
What about installing an audio induction loop in the synagogue? It would ...
4
votes
2answers
144 views
How do Shabbos mode scooters work?
Related to a question about shabbos and yom tov mode stoves I wonder about shabbos mode powered scooters. I recall seeing them advertised in the Jewish newspapers.
How do they work, in terms of ...
