Some Orthodox Jews believe that using electricity violates the prohibition on lighting a fire on the Sabbath, others believe it’s fine to do so but don’t as part of being pious and respecting Sabbath, others maintain it’s a form of doing work and thus prohibited, and some believe it’s prohibited only because of popular tradition but with no backing in the Torah.
The Amish don’t view these things as ‘against God’s will’ nor do their justifications come from the Bible. They are imposed as a way to maintain organized traditional familial community practices. They are conservative because most Amish communities require 100% parish (patriarchal) approval to change a technological practice. It makes change excruciatingly slow in these communities.
For example, it’s not that ‘phones are against God’s will’, it’s that individual phones, or phones in the house take away from being ‘present and aware’ in the home. Same for tvs. Yet, most Amish communities allow phones on the exterior of the home, but it is invaluable as a communication device for coordinating work.
That said, there are many problems with this style of community, but the Amish, for all their issues, are usually not out there looking for loopholes.
Jews can’t turn on the lights every Saturday because god said they can’t, the Amish dont have lights not because of anything god said, they just don’t like modern technology.
Is Orthodox Judaism like being Amish or something?
Some Orthodox Jews believe that using electricity violates the prohibition on lighting a fire on the Sabbath, others believe it’s fine to do so but don’t as part of being pious and respecting Sabbath, others maintain it’s a form of doing work and thus prohibited, and some believe it’s prohibited only because of popular tradition but with no backing in the Torah.
tbh back in the day if I was cold and Jewish on the Sabbath I’d light a goddamn fire
Even back then the loophole was “keep yesterday’s fire going” as if that’s somehow less work
I sort of like the idea of 1 day a week where you have to touch grass to entertain yourself and move around to keep warm.
You get the Amish experience every Saturday
The Amish don’t view these things as ‘against God’s will’ nor do their justifications come from the Bible. They are imposed as a way to maintain organized traditional familial community practices. They are conservative because most Amish communities require 100% parish (patriarchal) approval to change a technological practice. It makes change excruciatingly slow in these communities.
For example, it’s not that ‘phones are against God’s will’, it’s that individual phones, or phones in the house take away from being ‘present and aware’ in the home. Same for tvs. Yet, most Amish communities allow phones on the exterior of the home, but it is invaluable as a communication device for coordinating work.
That said, there are many problems with this style of community, but the Amish, for all their issues, are usually not out there looking for loopholes.
Jews can’t turn on the lights every Saturday because god said they can’t, the Amish dont have lights not because of anything god said, they just don’t like modern technology.