Special Ramadan Deal for Orange Users!

Special Offer -- Repeat of the Orange Deal for the Muslim month of Ramadan -- Jews can get it on the deal too, if they act now! (Ramadan started yesterday).

If you're an Orange(tm) mobile phone user in Israel, there's a super secret phone offer for the "Arab sector" that can be used by anyone who happens to find out about it (hence, this special notification from Jameel at the Muqata) .

If you call the number *8080 from your Orange cellphone, you will be connected to an Arabic language voice menu. Press 7, wait about 10 seconds, and then press 1 (listen for the word "wachad" (or "1" in Arabic)

You will receive an SMS from Orange for 2000 free SMS messages! Last time, this only applied between the nighttime (Ramadan party hours) hours of 9:30 PM and 5:00 AM...however I believe this time, its to all Israeli cellphones at all hours of the day. (I'm still checking). Note: It can take up to an hour to receive the SMS from Orange...I guess this post is working to ensure everyone can take advantage of the Ramadan offer :-)

I have personally validated this!

Don't thank me, I'm a giver....



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IDF Homefront Command to Hack "Kosher" phones

For those in Israel, "air raid siren" testing is part of our routine, and every few months there are siren tests to ensure everyone will be able to hear them in case of an emergency.

The IDF Homefront Command tested a new, additional system today; in the event of a critical emergency, urgent messages can be sent to entire geographic locations in Israel, by the IDF.

Of course, this presented a problem for the Chareidi population that only uses "Kosher" cellphones, which in addition to zero internet connectivity, these phones also blocks all SMS reception and sending.

Therefore, in conjunction with the "Board of Rabbis for Communications", the IDF is creating a "workaround" which allows for SMS messages to be sent even to those "Kosher" cellphones, which under normal circumstances do not receive any SMS messages.

In an interview with Kol Chai Radio today, Lt. Col. Gil Hoffman, head of "Computer, Networking, and Emergency Alert" division of the IDF's Homefront Command, said that about three hundred thousand "kosher" devices will be connected to the emergency broadcast service. "We're currently in an initial phase of the project. Only we [the IDF] are allowed to send these messages and security posts. It not only alerts for missiles, but also warnings against dangerous events, hazardous materials, fires, or urgent warnings from the Ministry of Health, for example, if residents Bene Brak would need boil their water prior to drinking it."

Source: rotter


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NewsFlash: R' Shlomo Aviner vs. Srugim

In the SMS halachik Q&A section of the upcoming weekly Shabbat pamphlet "Olam Katan", R' Aviner is asked the following question:

Is one allowed to watch "Srugim", the TV show about religious singles and "shiduchim"?

The answer was a resounding "NO."

"Of course this is forbidden [to watch]. There is bad language and licentiousness. It is not enough to be "shomer negia", and this is also not always followed [on the show] -- one needs purity and modesty.

It [the show] doesn't lack cheap, low and stupid content and its a disgrace to the religious Zionist community. To learn about how one should act, a person should read "Messilat Yesharim" (story source: Ynet via Rotter.Net)

A few comments:

1. Perhaps R' Aviner is retaliating for his mention in the previous show from last week?

2. I find it disappointing that there is a common knee-jerk reaction to the show that it doesn't positively portray the "religious Zionist" community. The show isn't about positively portraying the religious Zionist community -- it's about reality as it takes place. Yes, it's a show, but ask anyone who's been in the Katamon swamp, and they'll say it reflects reality. The point of Ma'aleh (their website is being re-done), the religious film school is not to exclusively produce promotional films that advocate for everyone to join the "religious Zionist" lifestyle.

The show really does not need a disclaimer/warning at the beginning stating: "The following show depicts the behavior of religious singles in the Katamon. You should not draw any conclusions that their behavior is proper or in accordance with halacha and that the characters are truly representative of the religious Zionist community. The scenes and actions shown are not under any halachik authority but were written by 2 graduates of the Maaleh film school and are self-defined as religious Zionists. In doubt, please consult your local Religious Zionist Orthodox Rabbi or see the Messilat Yesharim"

3. The person who asked the question in the first place should have prefaced his question if he is allowed to watch ANY TV at all, since I don't believe it falls within R' Aviner's worldview to begin with.

4. I seriously doubt R' Aviner's halachik opinion forbidding someone from watching the show is going to affect the show's ratings in the slightest...and will probably only increase them.

It's Elul. Please keep your comments respectful.


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