Quick Facts
- Featured Story
- Where
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Jerusalem, Israel
- Who
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Orthodox Jews
- Why
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Jewish law forbids the use of electrical items on the Sabbath, but for decades rabbis have allowed special elevators. Last month, however, one of Israel’s leading rabbis precluded the elevators.
Excerpt
The Jewish day of rest has become a bit more labor-intensive for Yosef Ball.
The Orthodox Jew and his wife are no longer using elevators custom-built for the Jewish Sabbath, ever since a rabbinical ruling last month outlawed them. Instead, they have been hiking up seven flights of stairs to get home each Saturday, lugging with them their five young children and a double stroller.
“It’s been very hard, but we’re walking up the stairs slowly and with a lot of patience,” said Ball, 29, while pushing a baby carriage with two toddlers in tow on a recent day.
Comment
They say you shouldn’t criticize someone’s religion, right? I disagree, you should criticize all religions all the time! Scientologists are crazy, nobody feels guilty stating that fact.
But what about Jews? Like anyone else, most Jews are smart, caring, loving, creative, intelligent people. Except when it comes to their religion. Then Orthodox Jews are guilted into doing all sorts of literally crazy things.
Listen, God doesn’t love you less if you use an elevator, that’s just a fact that should be fairly obvious. You’re not disgracing your grandfather in Germany if you use an elevator. Really.
Religions all over the world keep less intelligent people from gaining power by forcing them into all sorts of societal obligations. Catholics made people go to church every day, this was a good way to keep track of people and keep them from rebelling. Everyone missed a day every once in a while, and if they weren’t like by the church or especially if they criticized the church, they were punished for it.
Here’s the deal: while you’re climbing steps or buying two separate barbecues other people are moving forward with their lives. It’s your life, would you like to enjoy it, or just give it to someone else? Religions want your money and they want to control you. To get those things they keep you busy by taking your time as well.