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Shabbos App

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Zwolfp (talk | contribs) at 20:59, 5 October 2014 (I took out the defense in the "Controversy" section. Either is should not be there at all or it should be put in another section.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Shabbos App Logo featuring a "Shin" for The Sabbath
File:Shabbos App Options Screen.png
Prototype options screen

The Shabbos App is a proposed Android app that will enable Orthodox Jews, and all Jewish Sabbath-observers, to use a smartphone on the Jewish Sabbath. The app is highly controversial[1][2][3] in Jewish Orthodox circles. The current position of the established Orthodox community is that using a smartphone on the Sabbath is prohibited by Halakha (Jews law), a view disputed by The Shabbos App team and who claim they are relying on the view of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (1910-1995).

As of October 3, 2014, the project was listed as a draft Kickstarter project and was inactive. According to the proposed draft, project founders aimed to raise $25,000 and launch the app during February 2015.[4]

Current halachic problems of using a smartphone on the Sabbath

Using a smartphone on the Sabbath may violate one of several rabbinic prohibitions as follows:

  • Battery: The battery can get extremely hot from use - this can be a potential rabbinical prohibition of making a fire.[5]
  • Writing: Text that one types and erases remains on the phone's hard drive and is theoretically permanent - this is a potential problem of writing/erasing[6][7] according to some opinions.
  • Sounds: Sounds are made when one notifies or is notified of new messages, etc. This is a potential problem of making noise[8] which is prohibited.
  • Screen: Turning the screen on and off is similar (according to some opinions) to turning a regular light on and off. This can be a potential prohibition of making a fire (ma'avir) according to some opinions.
  • Charging: When one plugs a wall charger into or out of the phone, according to one opinion of Rabbi Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz (1878-1953) known as the (Chazon Ish) one is building and breaking a circuit and in violation of the prohibition of building and destroying.[9] and [10] This ruling of the Chazon Ish is disputed by many rabbis, including Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (1910-1995).

Solutions to the halachic problems resolved by the Shabbos App

The Shabbos App team claims that the app addresses the potential halachic problems that can occur when using a smartphone on the Sabbath as follows:

  • Battery: Similar to a Sabbath elevator, the Shabbos App forces consistent battery power so any phone use will not cause additional battery strain, thereby not causing the battery to heat up, preventing Halachic problems of ma'avir.
  • Writing: The Shabbos App features two options for those who wish to satisfy one or both of these stringent opinions.
  1. Delayed Typing option: Selecting this option this will cause a slight and random delay when typing, which is considered grama.
  2. Wipe Data option: Selecting this option will cause the app to reset all new data every hour. This will render any text typed not permanent.
  • Sounds: All sounds are disabled when the app is active. The user can choose to receive a vibration for new notifications, visual indicators, or both vibration and visual. The visual indicator on the information bar will display any new notifications.
  • Screen: The app forces the screen to stay on the entire time (a user can set the brightness prior to activating the app), which inhibits any problems of turning the screen on and off.
  • Charging: The phone will need to be charged more often than usual as the Shabbos App will place additional strain on the battery. To increase battery charge, there is an indicator on the information bar (that looks like a power plug) that will be green and red. When the green indicator light is on, you can plug your phone device in and out of a phone charger, as no charging action will occur until the indicator light turns red. Charging will only begin when the indicator light is red. To warn of an impending charging status change, the indicator light will blink red to alert the user not to plug the device in or out until the user can safely identify the charging status, when a solid green or red light will then appear. The indicator light will change to green for five minutes after every fifteen minutes, and continue to cycle in this method indefinitely.

Controversy

As of October 5th 2014, no Rabbinical authority has approved of the app.[11]

According to its creators, the Shabbos App supposedly resolves many of the problems related to using a smartphone on the Sabbbath.[12] However, many rabbis find the app to be a desecration of the Sabbath and forbid it.[13][14] The developers of the app feel that they are doing good for people who are texting on Shabbos.[15][16]


See also

References

  1. ^ "App lets Jewish kids text on Sabbath – and stay in the fold". The Times of Israel. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  2. ^ "Sacred texts: App aims to solve SMS-during-Sabbath problem". Haaretz.com. October 1, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  3. ^ "The Shabbos App (Yes it is Real)". Finkorswim.com. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  4. ^ "Shabbos App - Enhancing Shabbos for everyone! by Shabbos App — Kickstarter". Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  5. ^ halachipedia.com: Ma'avir
  6. ^ halachipedia.com: Kosaiv
  7. ^ halachipedia.com: Mochek
  8. ^ halachipedia.com: Making music on Shabbat
  9. ^ halachipedia.com: Boneh
  10. ^ halachipedia.com Sosair
  11. ^ "Smartphones on Shabbos? How app-alling!". http://www.israelnationalnews.com/. Retrieved 5 October 2014. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  12. ^ "Lose Your Shabbos Rest With Newly Created Smartphone Shabbos App - JP Updates". JP Updates. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  13. ^ vosizneias.com: New York Shabbos Texting App Stirs Controversy
  14. ^ halachipedia.com: The Shabbos App
  15. ^ "Sacred texts: App aims to solve SMS-during-Sabbath problem". Haaretz.com. October 1, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  16. ^ "The Shabbos App (Yes it is Real)". Finkorswim.com. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
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