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Kosher search engine powered by 4 car batteries on a passively cooled server

jewjewjew.com

21–30 of 233 posts

Re: Kosher search engine powered by 4 car batteries on a passively cooled server

#21

I don't get it: the potential user has to use some kind of computer/smartphone/non-kosher device to make use of this server. Not to mention all the network infrastructure in-between! Is there a rabbi here to enlighten us?

Not a rabbi, but I am Jewish.

A specific segment of Jews (namely Ultra-Orthodox) have quite a complicated relationship with the internet. On one hand, that community has experienced the positives of this technology, but they also VERY much discuss the fears and downsides.

So this site can be a seen as trying to wiggle into that tough space of getting use out of it, but in an "acceptable" way.

Here's another example I found by a quick google search: https://koshercell.org/

But in Israel there's also a well-known ISP that filters the internet for you (and your household): https://www.linkedin.com/company/internet-rimon/

Re: Kosher search engine powered by 4 car batteries on a passively cooled server

#22

I don't get it: the potential user has to use some kind of computer/smartphone/non-kosher device to make use of this server. Not to mention all the network infrastructure in-between! Is there a rabbi here to enlighten us?

Why should at least the smartphone be non-kosher if it isn't charged and switched on/off physically during shabbat?

I agree about the rest of the infrastructure though.

But you have to agree on some standard what "work" and "fire" is, though. You can't cease all electron movement from Friday to Sunday.

Re: Kosher search engine powered by 4 car batteries on a passively cooled server

#25
As on Orthodox Jew, while I don't have anything against this and it sounds like a fun hobby project, I don't like that it misleads regarding what Jewish law actually requires.

As several others have mentioned, there is absolutely no problem with keeping a server running on the sabbath - computers aren't Jews (Jewish law only expects Jews to keep the sabbath). If it's Jews working to generate the electricity (most "modern" or "yeshivish" Orthodox Jews don't believe this is a problem; I don't know what fraction of "ultra-" Orthodox Jews disagree with that), any public cloud outside of Israel should suffice. If you're concerned with electricity, why not worry that Jews may be working to maintain the server's internet connection (again, this is trivially solved by not hosting it in Israel - all it takes is a non-Jewish majority to provide a reasonable presumption that the workers probably aren't Jewish)?

If you're worried about Jewish users accessing it on the sabbath (in my opinion the least far-fetched concern, but not one addressed by the site), the complete solution would be to shut it down for ~49 hours every week starting from ~sunset on Friday in east Asia - this doesn't require using batteries or really anything special about the site's hardware or even software.

Finally, why call it a 'kosher' search engine when almost anyone interested in such a thing would understand that as being about filtering the search results?

Edit: If you assume that using electricity and/or internet that are maintained by Jews on the sabbath is a problem, I guess you might be able to make a case for avoiding indexing sites in Israel or at all during the sabbath, since then you'd be benefitting indirectly from the work of the Jews that maintained the infrastructure - however, I think it's safe to assume that the vast majority of the internet is not served using infrastructure actively supported by Jews during the sabbath so even assuming you're concerned about this, the final answer would probably still be that indexing during the sabbath is fine.

Re: Kosher search engine powered by 4 car batteries on a passively cooled server

#26
post #9
post #5

The lengths some people go to for religion... smh

Some people live their lives for the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Some live their lives for the gods capitalism. I'd say the former is a lot less pernicious.

At least capitalism actually exists.

Re: Kosher search engine powered by 4 car batteries on a passively cooled server

#27

As on Orthodox Jew, while I don't have anything against this and it sounds like a fun hobby project, I don't like that it misleads regarding what Jewish law actually requires. As several others have mentioned, there is absolutely no problem with keeping a server running on the sabbath - computers aren't Jews (Jewish law only expects Jews to keep the sabbath). If it's Jews working to generate the electricity (most "mo…

As a gentile, it seems pretty obvious to me that this is borderline satire. You sound like Devin Nunes apoplectic about how it is not actually one of his farm animals criticizing him on twitter.

Re: Kosher search engine powered by 4 car batteries on a passively cooled server

#28
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some people live their lives for the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Some live their lives for the gods capitalism. I'd say the former is a lot less pernicious.

They both have pros and cons. Entire wars were fought over the ideals of both, and both dominate their "believers everyday life.

Where would you argue a war exists today that does not have its roots in the economic domination of one group over another, and is purely fought on religious grounds?

Re: Kosher search engine powered by 4 car batteries on a passively cooled server

#30

I can't find the exact quote but I think a comedian once said something along the lines of (large pinches of salt on the quote and whether it was said by a comedian): You think your god is all knowing, etc.. but at the same time stupid enough to fall for these work arounds

It's the thought that counts. Like a teenager choosing not to swear front of their parents.
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