What is the significance for Jewish people...?

Question

..of not using modern technology (i.e. electronic devices) during passover/ on the Sabbath? I understand where the whole no working thing comes from, and the unleavened bread...but what is the scriptural significance of not...say...using a computer or pushing an elevator button?

Answer 1

well...

as far as passover goes, some of the days are yom tov (literally good day). this is like the sabbath, i.e. we cannot work. the ideas behind not using electricity is like from lighting a fire. some orthodox peoples will not for example, play soccer on saturday, because they might accidentally dislodge some ground, thus mkaing it easier for something to grow (like plowing).

also... there is a provision in all but three laws, that is called pikuach nefesh (the saving of the soul). you are allowed to break laws in order to save a life. for example, a doctor would be allowed to opperate on the sabbath in order to save a patients life.

Answer 2

the issues of technology are extensions of biblical laws against doing categories of behavior often mistranslated as "work".

One category is "lighting a fire" and doing things like starting a car which creates a spark or burns gas is like that. Another category is "completing" something, so closing a circuit (as in other electronics) is forbidden. These are laws for the sabbath. the laws of action on holidays is similar but not exactly the same -- both for passover and other holidays.

Answer 3

This is just one more ridiculous "tradition" from the cave man era that many Jews still insist on following. It's right up there with spelling god "G-d" and refusing to eat cheeseburgers. It's moronic and backwards, just like most other religious traditions.

I don't care how stupid the tradition is as long as it only affects you. This tradition of not performing any "work" on the Sabbath is pathetic in that it frequently involves a non-believer. When I worked at a hotel some Jews observing this silly tradition would use the phone to call up a bellboy to turn on the light for them. I swear, I am not making this up. They can use a phone but they can't turn on a light. They can take advantage of the light once it's on but they aren't allowed to turn it on themselves. How backwards is that? I say if you want to live in the dark figuratively you should live in the dark literally as well. And don't involve non-believers in your silly little game.

There are plenty of silly rituals in other religions but to me none seem so counter-intuitive and baseless as this one.

Answer 4

because you're not supposed create or extinguisg fires and anything that runs off of electricity creates some sort of flame, although very small. It could also fall under having to leave things in an unchanged state because chemicals and electricity convert into other things while being used.