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The Kosher Phone for Orthodox Jews
In these modern times, even Orthodox Jews need cell phones. But with all the rules this ultra-religious group must abide by, a seemingly simple requirement such as a mobile phone becomes decidedly less simple. With all the spam, sexy photos, and 50 Cent ringtones out there, cell phones can prove challenging for Orthodox Jews.
To fill the void, a kosher cellie has hit the streets of Jerusalem, aimed at this niche market (not that niche, though -- at least 800,000 of Israel's 7.1 million Jews are ultra-Orthodox, and a whole infrastructure of kosher gadgets and gizmos is cropping up to serve them).
Fun isn't exactly the word that comes to mind when looking over the features of this handset: It can't send or receive text messages, take pictures, or connect to the Internet; it blocks more than 10,000 phone-sex numbers, and rabbinical overseers ensure that the block lists are up to date. Users can call fellow kosher phones at the discounted rate of 2 cents a minute, as opposed to the standard 9.5 cents ("Challah at me!"), but if they place calls on Shabbat (using electronic devices on the Sabbath or other holy days is a big no-no for Jews), it'll run them a whopping $2.44 a minute.
Oh, and to guarantee that no one will be whipping this out in a club to impress the ladies, the phone flashes the seal of a rabbinate council on start-up.
From New York Times (via Gearlog)
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Comments
27
Subscribe to commentsMatt RobinsonJun 9th 2008 5:26AM
If only they'd called it the oyPhone.
doviAug 17th 2008 6:07PM
were is the kosher call phone
doviAug 20th 2008 9:44PM
how is woke
call me now
4163183511
JohannaNov 7th 2007 12:26PM
What an obnoxious, disrespectful and mocking article on a technology that is apparently genuinely helpful to a group of people. The reference to "bombs just waiting to blow up a practicing Jew's holy spot" is in particularly poor taste. Shame on the NYT for running this.
LaurelNov 7th 2007 12:50PM
"the joke is already in the oven"
Did you seriously just say that?
Someone who is NOT LaughingNov 7th 2007 12:55PM
SURE, add to the already anti-semitic comments with "Can Jew hear me now?" That is SO DISRESPECTFUL that I can not believe this was printed!! As if we don't have enough to worry about...
At times I wish the Jewish People had a Rev. Al Sharpton type person in their midst.
I am extremely disgusted, Mel Gibson might as well have written this article!
VinceNov 7th 2007 1:15PM
So in other words, it's simply a cell phone, as the name implies. On the other hand, Evan, you either need to go to some sensitivity training, or change your name to Adolph. Are you really that much of a jerk, or did some Nazi tell you that you were funny?
Joshua FruhlingerNov 7th 2007 1:16PM
Hey guys - I removed the joke. Wasn't meant as offensive, to be honest. But after review we can see that it might be construed as such.
VinceNov 7th 2007 1:20PM
Also noticed that you changed the word 'oven' to 'can'. Too little to late. Evan, why don't you goose-step back into oblivion where you belong.
Someone who Appreciates the ChangeNov 7th 2007 1:25PM
Joshua, It would've been helpful if this was reviewed before it hit the internet, but I do appreciate your sensitivity, if only the rest of the world would oblige...thanks.
Matthew RandNov 7th 2007 1:35PM
This is just a cute article. To the posters that are complaining about it, you are just looking for something to kvetch about.
Jews don't need an "Al Sharpton", they already have an Abe Foxman, who is embarrassing enough.
FYI: "To blow up one's spot" is urban slang.
DanNov 7th 2007 1:52PM
That had to be the most entertaining article I have read in a long time! FUNNY! BTW, its not offensive. Its called humor.
KeziaNov 7th 2007 2:08PM
This sounds like a good idea. It's nice to see a company not just marketing to the mainstream.
JewbaybeeeNov 7th 2007 2:29PM
Way to go Vince! YOU are AWESOME! Orthodox Jews need a means of cummication just like Christians, Muslems, etc. You other people who are disgusted with this article need to get a life! Why not read up about the Jews! WE ARE SMART PEOPLE! Just remember that! Can Jew hear me now??????????
RachelNov 7th 2007 3:03PM
I wonder if someone has to call an ambulance on Shabbat, that he gets the regular rate. After all, one is permitted to break the Sabbath if it is to save a life.
L3H3E2Nov 7th 2007 3:14PM
I guess that Al and Jesse will sue in
court because this phone did not come
ready for use by the black race. They
will charge racism and win a large
settlement of Jewish money.
...........Jul 7th 2008 4:43AM
was that supposed to be funny?
stu martNov 7th 2007 3:15PM
i was jewish, then met this girl that was christan. she didnt want to become jewish so i switched to her religion.
after 7 years i realized all she wanted was alcohol and to cheat on me. so we broke up and i went bach to being jewish again. brother were all the same!!!!!!!!
KhajitJul 27th 2008 12:16PM
Your very right, because even Islamic priest admit that Christianity, Jewdism, and Islam, pray to the same God reguardless of what the name seems to be or sound. And on top of that, in Islam they even talk about Jesus (Christianity's Jesus, the Jesus the same Jew that is mentioned being put on the cross). This right here shows that there's more things betwen us all that we have in common that most people think. Now if I only had the authorty to take away the firtst amendment to people who show extreme and unshakeable stupidity and insensitive. A lot of people would in America would change for the better if such punishment was employed by local laws. Because studity and close mindedness would leave you in the end of your life with a unfulfilled life, lots of unwanted and unneed hate to yourself and others. So, not to be mean or anything like that but just to be as netrual I can with people even with Neo-Nazi's, the KKK, and other groups such as these and this goes for every, before you debate, fight, write, or speak about anything make sure that you know a shread of what you have in mind, and if not people like me, a good chunk of the population, and the intellegent people of the society.
stuNov 7th 2007 3:15PM
we're all the same