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RELIGION
Novel Institute Bridges
Halachah, Technology
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58
Friday, December 19, 1986 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
H
aifa — The inflexible
and intransigent atti-
tude of some Or-
thodox zealots, and their un-
willingness to adapt in any
manner to modern life, has
blackened the reputation of
hundieds of thousands of ob-
servant Jews in Israel who do
not throw stones on the Sab-
bath, are tolerant of their
secular neighbors and seek to
live in modern civilization
while at the same time re-
maining loyal to the tradi-
tions of their people.
Not long ago we visited a
unique institution in
Jerusalem which devotes it-
self entirely to scientific and
technological research lead-
ing to compatibility between
the realities of a modern
society, and the requirements
of Halachah (Jewish law)
with regard to Sabbath ob-
servance, kashrut, etc. This is
the Institute of Science and
Halachah, operated by
strictly Orthodox Jews, who
are learning how to use com-
puters, automated systems
and high technology to en-
able the Orthodox Jew to be
true to his faith, yet still live
in the 20th Century with al-
most no inconvenience.
Such problems have come
to the fore in a Jewish state
where police, hospitals,
tourist hotels, industry and
other operations cannot shut
down on the traditional day
of rest.
The principle of their work
is simple: instead of changing
the Halachah, as many have
demanded, they have learned
to utilize modern technology
to live within the Halachah.
As a result of their work, it
is now possible for strictly
observant Jews to perform
certain acts which had prev-
iously been considered as
banned. The use of an electric
boiler on the Sabbath, dialing
on a telephone, operation of
an elevator — all have been
made possible under certain
conditions by the application
of the Talmudic mind to
technological principles and
the development of sophisti-
cated technological equip-
ment. In the works at the
moment is an electric wheel-
chair which Orthodox in-
valids may propel with clear
conscience.
An explanation of how this
is done requires more space
than we have here, but suf-
fice to say that whereas
Halachah forbids the lighting
of fire or creation of a spark,
or carrying on of any work ef-
fort on the Sabbath, it is
possible to create conditions
whereby the required action
is brought about, but not
caused by any human act.
The key word is Gramma, an
indirect causation, clearly de-
fined in the Talmud almost
1800 years ago, and today
applied successfully to elec-
tronics.
The achievements of the
Institute for Science and
Halachah may seem to have
restricted value — limited to
those for whom halachic ob-
servance is important — yet
in the State of Israel they
enable Orthodox and secular
Jews to live together on
equal terms where there is
mutual tolerance. At a time
when there are grave fears of
a major split in the Jewish
people because of religious
differences, this is no small
achievement.
The religious extremists
are not interested in the in-
stitute's work. They don't use
electricity on the Sabbath at
all.
We could not resist the
opportunity of asking a pro-
vocative question: Is it per-
missible, according to
halachah, to throw stones on
the Sabbath?
Rabbi L.Y. Halperin, the
halachic authority of the in-
Instead of
changing
Halachah, they
have learned to
utilize technology
to live within
Halachah.
stitute, and its founding
father, replied immediately:
"It's not only a sin to throw
stones on the Sabbath; it's a
sin on weekdays as well."
The institute enjoys the
support of a large body of
engineers, technologists and
scientists, all Orthodox, au-
gmented by religious
authorities. Its meager
budget is covered in part by
government departments (in-
cluding also the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry) and
in part by private contribu-
tions. It occupies cramped
quarters near Mount Herzl,
in Jerusalem.
. The ingenious application
of the Jewish brain to bridg-
ing Halachah and technology
has led to a number of inno-
vations previously considered
impossible — for example,
the ability to shut down a
steel plant one day a week,
without causing any harm or
damage. Indeed, Rabbi
Halperin told us, they are not
content merely to meet to-
day's needs; they now seek to
anticipate technological proc-
esses, and strike out in new
and uncharted fields.
Once again, the principle is
simple: Halachah is eternal,
all-comprehensive and un-
changing. It is technology
which is constantly changing
and improving, as man learns
to use it.
The Institute for Science
and Halachah, truly a
unique, but not an esoteric
body.