On Monday, I posted about the Orange Ramadan deal.The following was sent to me early this morning; Rav Yuval Sherlow was asked about Jews signing up for the Orange Ramadan deal in 2009, and his answer is as follows:
שלום וברכה
אני מבין שהשאלה היא כבר לא רלוונטית. לדעתי רישום היהודים הוא מעשה לא ישר, וזאת משתי סיבות: הן כלפי חברת אורנג´ והתחזות שווא, והן כלפי שמייא בנכונות להזדהות עם דת אחרת עבור כסף. מעבר לכך, האם זו לא מידה של רדיפת בצע מכוערת
כל טוב
אני מבין שהשאלה היא כבר לא רלוונטית. לדעתי רישום היהודים הוא מעשה לא ישר, וזאת משתי סיבות: הן כלפי חברת אורנג´ והתחזות שווא, והן כלפי שמייא בנכונות להזדהות עם דת אחרת עבור כסף. מעבר לכך, האם זו לא מידה של רדיפת בצע מכוערת
כל טוב
Shalom and GreetingsI find R' Sherlow's reply perplexing. The Orange company offers "sectarian" deals -- and by law, despite the sectarian deal, it is still open to all citizens of Israel. Otherwise, Orange would be breaking the law. No one is posing as an Arab or a Ramadan-observing person in order to get the special Ramadan. Orange doesn't ask "If you are a Ramadan observing Muslim, and are fasting this month, please press 7." They don't ask because they are not allowed to ask, by law.
I understand that your question is no longer relevant [Jameel: Orange stopped the special Ramadan deal in 2009, after tens of thousands of Israeli Jews signed up for the Ramadan special, partly due to posts on the Muqata blog]. In my opinion, Jews signing up [for the Ramadan deal] is not righteous for two reasons. Once towards the Orange company for misrepresentation [as Arabs?], and secondly towards heaven [G-d] for willingness to associate oneself with another religion for money. More so, isn't this the character trait of greed?
All the best.
I'm sure that Arabs also sign up for special Chanuka deals (if there happen to be any).
No one is masquerading as an Arab to get the "Ramadan" special, or associating with a religion for money. Your simply taking advantage of an offer, from an Arabic language menu from the Orange company.
I think R' Sherlow is reading far too much into an advertising gimmick.
Greed is cheating on taxes, not paying VAT, and theft from the government. Taking advantage of a consumer opportunity (like double coupons, internet special savings codes, free shipping, or this Orange Ramadan special) is simply fair consumerism.
Visiting Israel?
Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3 with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!
Follow the Muqata on Twitter.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
