technological innovations
8
votes
1answer
175 views
Do photocopies of torah need to be put in shaimos?
Do photocopied sheets (such as chumash or gemara) need to be put in sheimos or can they be thrown straight into the garbage?
7
votes
2answers
248 views
Is it actually forbidden to push a wheelchair outside of an eruv on Shabbat?
I have heard opinions varying wildly on the subject and am trying to make sense of them halachically. Is it illegal on Shabbat to push someone in a wheelchair, let's say, from their home to synagogue ...
2
votes
1answer
130 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?
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 ...
26
votes
6answers
1k views
Is it permissible to erase the name of G-d from an E-reader?
Most people seem to be lenient about shemos on digital screens in general (though Bar-Ilan does avoid displaying the Tetragrammaton.) The letters on the screen are just light, there is nothing really ...
8
votes
1answer
115 views
Cell Phone Jammers in Halacha
I could not imagine cell phone jammers would be מותר, but perhaps my gut-feeling is wrong...
Either way, I would be interested in knowing how they fit into halacha, and what the reasons behind ...
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?
2
votes
1answer
123 views
Could the 'air conditioner' shown here be run during shabbat?
I saw this DIY video, and was wondering if such a fan could be run before shabbat started and left running as shown?
The video on this page (Ignore the article):
...
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 ...
5
votes
3answers
222 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 ...
11
votes
6answers
685 views
If a pig was genetically modified to chew its cud, would it be kosher?
If they were to genetically modify a pig to chew its cud, would it be kosher?
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)?
7
votes
3answers
378 views
Walking by an Automatic Door on Shabbos
Is one allowed to walk by an automatic door on Shabbos, if he/she has no benefit of the door opening (i.e. not walking in)?
How does this case compare/contrast to the walking by an automatic light on ...
8
votes
2answers
144 views
If three men pre-arranged to sit down and eat together over a video-chat, is there any reason they shouldn't have a zimun?
I learned that if two groups were eating in two different rooms but even one person could see someone in the other room, then they could have one zimun (I thought this was in Masechet Brachot, but I ...
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
166 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]
18
votes
3answers
668 views
bicycle on Shabbat?
Is riding a bicycle on Shabbat permitted within an eiruv, being ridden only on pavement (so no unintended plowing), for transportation and not exercise, and with the understanding that repairs aren't ...
13
votes
2answers
304 views
Escalator on Shabbos
Escalators: Are they allowed to be used on Shabbos or not?
(and the reasons behind it)
2
votes
1answer
69 views
Microphone for Meggilah
Can one be Yotzeh Meggilah on Skype or webcast or through a microphone or telephone is there a difference between each? Does a Hearing Aid disqualify a person from being Yotzeh the Laining?
5
votes
2answers
196 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 ...
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
167 views
is it considered watching
Would milk be considered cholov yisroel if someone was watching via webcam
