Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utcsrgv.UUCP Path: utzoo!utcsrgv!dave From: dave@utcsrgv.UUCP (Dave Sherman) Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish Subject: Re: Ann Landers on Judaism Message-ID: <5039@utcsrgv.UUCP> Date: Tue, 14-Aug-84 15:23:28 EDT Article-I.D.: utcsrgv.5039 Posted: Tue Aug 14 15:23:28 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 14-Aug-84 16:22:33 EDT References: <179@mhuxm.UUCP> Organization: The Law Society of Upper Canada, Toronto Lines: 29 In article <179@mhuxm.UUCP> abeles@mhuxm.UUCP (abeles) writes: ~| ~| Of course, the rabbis of the 19th century who concluded that ~| electricity is a form of fire were not well-informed scientists, ~| nor did they heed any advice from scientist of the day. ~| Electricity is obviously not fire. ~| ~| --J. Abeles Of course, J. Abeles is not a well-informed observant Jew, nor does he heed any advice from Orthodox rabbis of today. Why is electricity "obviously" not fire? Why does J. Abeles presume to know what characteristics of electricity and fire are relevant to their similarity or difference from a halachic point of view? We believe that the Torah was given for all ages, and is relevant in our technological age. From the point of view of its effect on Shabbos observance, treating electricity as fire is entirely appropriate. Turning on a light switch is in many ways equivalent to lighting a candle. And I find that not being able to use electrical devices and appliances adds substantially to the "menuchah" [rest] of Shabbos. Dave Sherman Toronto -- {allegra,cornell,decvax,ihnp4,linus,utzoo}!utcsrgv!dave