The Torah world is in shock from the recent spurious so-called hetter circulated in the U.S. making halachic allowance for digital activities through electronic receptors on Shabbos. It claims that direct manual use of digital activities are forbidden solely because of the prohibition of muktza.
This actually gives the seal of approval for the use of all electronic devices operated through sensors so long as these devices do not transgress any additional forbidden activity. In lay language, this means that one can open automatic doors, operate dishwashers and switch on various types of illumination throughout the house without transgressing any halachic Shabbos prohibition.
In reaction to the publication of this severe statement, rabbonim and poskim immediately declared the necessity to counter it with the widespread dissemination of the halachic decisions of Torah leaders past and present on the subject. This includes publishing the letters of HaRav Yosef Shalom Eliashiv and HaRav Shmuel Wosner and other gedolei Yisrael which stated: "We hereby publicly announce regarding such devices with electronic systems which activate or increase an electrical flow of current or create digital impressions etc., that these are [categorically] forbidden for use on Shabbos."
In another letter, HaRav Shalom Cohen joined this psak together with other prominent poskim and Torah elders of this generation.
