technological innovations
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
1answer
191 views
Can I make a mikvah using artificial rain?
If I have a mikva which needs filling, and there is no rain, can I use the following mechanism -
I have a Mikva in a closed room. On top of this Mikva, there is a cooling system (let's say that this ...
6
votes
4answers
421 views
Is it okay to drive a car on the Sabbath?
The Five Books of Moses mention not stoking a fire on the Sabbath, if I remember correctly. By starting a car, I'd think I am stoking a fire. Is this okay to do for a Jew? Why or why not?
6
votes
3answers
163 views
electronic Olam Haba
When Moshisch comes (Biezras Hashem) will there be technology like, computers, cars, electricity, etc?
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
3answers
235 views
Typing on Chol Hamoed
Is typing allowed on Chol Hamoed? Does it make a difference if whatever is typed will be printed afterwards?
6
votes
3answers
738 views
Electric Appliances and Mikva
Do electric appliances need to be dunked (toveled) in a mikva?
Obviously, if the parts that touch the food are removable (e.g. an electric mixer's bowl and blade, or a blender's carafe, or the ...
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 ...
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
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?
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 ...
5
votes
3answers
224 views
Parashas Shavua calculation
I'm writing a site where the user would be able to see the calendar with jewish-civil translation of dates, and also which parasas shavua falls on which Shabbos.
I'd like to know what is the formula ...
5
votes
7answers
381 views
Digital Synagogue displays?
Why do Synagogues use or not use them?
Bonus:
What are some of the companies that make these digital wall displays for synagogues?
How much do they cost?
Does anyone know where I can find info ...
5
votes
4answers
287 views
Jewish Android Apps
Does anyone have a suggestion of any useful Jewish Andriod Apps currently available?
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?
5
votes
2answers
197 views
Does Robot = Golem?
Would an anthropomorphic robot who could communicate with and do the bidding of humans qualify Halachicaly as a Golem? Would new rulings have to be devised for their status?
5
votes
1answer
178 views
How does “shabbat speech-reinforcement” work?
How does the technology for shabas-compliant voice amplification referred to on this architecture firm's website work? Is it different technically from a regular microphone setup or is the distinction ...
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
208 views
Are robo-calls permitted?
A robo-call is an automated phone call that does not involve a human caller. The majority of these are uninvited solicitations (either for money or votes), and these are the ones I'm asking about. ...
5
votes
1answer
73 views
are bionic abilities legal for shabbos
Today the world is high in technology; many medical fields are experiencing breakthroughs in artificial limbs and what not.
What are the legalities of these in Jewish law?
For example, a pace maker ...
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 ...
5
votes
0answers
98 views
What are the practical limits of shaimos in the common era? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Hashems name on device
I've tried to always be careful in regard to shaimos, but I'm still having difficulty understanding how it maps out in the age of the computer.
...
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
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
154 views
Source for not having picture taken
Is there any source, halachic or otherwise, for an aversion to having one's picture taken?
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 ...
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?
4
votes
1answer
87 views
התראה by phone?
Can warning for a capital crime be accomplished by telephone?
Hello?
Are you aware that it is currently שבת where you are?
Yes. I am aware of the punishment and prepared to do it anyway.
Are ...
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
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?
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
168 views
is it considered watching
Would milk be considered cholov yisroel if someone was watching via webcam
4
votes
5answers
274 views
Suggestions for Kosher iPhone apps
I'm an iPhone app developer with mostly Jewish & Israeli iPhone apps and I'm open to new suggestions or ideas for new apps that can be useful for Jewish people.
Anyone here had a case that he ...
4
votes
1answer
44 views
Buying New Electronics During the 9 Days
Is one allowed to buy new electronic devices during the nine days (e.g. cellphone, laptop)?
4
votes
1answer
125 views
Solar Powered Wrist-Watch on Shabbos
Is one allowed to go out with a solar powered watch on Shabbos (where they know the watch is in a situation where they will surely benefit from the power produced through the sun?) What could be the ...
4
votes
0answers
33 views
Software for organizing a “thing” gemach
I'd like to organize a baby clothes gemach in my area and I was wondering if there was any software that people have used to do this, or if this was a piece of software I'd have to write on my own.
...
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?
3
votes
2answers
168 views
Yichud in Elevator
Is there a problem of Yichud in the elevator?
(especially considering there's a possibility that the elevator may get stuck)
[and specifically those without cameras]
3
votes
2answers
57 views
Electric Menorah
Are electric menorahs good for lighting on Chanukah?
To remove some of the more obvious issues, let's assume that:
It runs on batteries
It's an incadescent bulb
There are separate physical switches ...
3
votes
1answer
84 views
Looking at a Kohen's hands on Video
One is not allowed to look at a Kohen's hands while he is performing Birchas Kohanim (source: my Artscroll siddur, but it is well-known too)
Would this also apply if one was looking at a video of the ...
3
votes
1answer
266 views
3
votes
2answers
117 views
Where can I find a professionally typeset pdf siddur suitable for mobile viewing?
I have used a number of siddurim apps for my smartphone/tablet and have found the text layout so abhorrent (nikkud floating all over the place, unprofessional kerning, ugly fonts etc.) that I've given ...
3
votes
3answers
157 views
Does amirah L'akum apply to robots?
Can you ask/instruct a robot on shabbos to perform melacha on your behalf? Would this fall under the same category as amirah l'akum?
3
votes
1answer
120 views
Removing facial hair by laser treatment (for a man)
May a man remove his facial hair with a laser treatment?
(that is the hairs that are normally ossur to remove by way of a razor.)
3
votes
1answer
92 views
Wirelessly recharging a light-emitting diode on Shabbos
Could one use wireless recharging technology (see http://home.howstuffworks.com/question292.htm) to power a light-emitting diode (which does not have a filament that gets hot (see ...
3
votes
0answers
38 views
Best practices for long-distance Nihum Aveilim and Kavod HaMeith
What are some best practices for people who learn from afar of the passing of an individual (not immediate family) and who want show their respects to the deceased and the surviving family?
If they ...
3
votes
0answers
72 views
Referencing Iron before the Iron Age [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Why does the Torah mention iron when the Torah was given in the Bronze age?
A guest brought up this question at the shabbos table, and no one had an answer.
In D'Varim ...
2
votes
2answers
201 views
P'sak halacha by AI?
How good does artificial intelligence need to be before we can turn to a robot for piskei halacha?
The accepted reason that even the most knowledgeable people need to ask legal advice from poskim is ...
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
131 views
Which rabbis forbade cars 100 years ago?
"Venishmartem Meod Lenafshoseichem"
I heard that there were Rabbonim about 100 years ago who forbade cars, saying that they were dangerous. Does anyone know who they were?
