HaRav Beifus with HaRav Chaim Kanievsky
What has caused the recent rise in rabbinical attention to these issues?
The digital age and the advance of technology has raised a lot of new issues which the gedolei hador must decide.
For example, a large, well known firm which maintains a special safe which houses many items requiring maximum security, items which are sometimes needed on Shabbos. Lately, this safe had an electronic chip installed which records every opening of the safe. Those who presented the question wished to have its usage examined for Shabbos use.
Many issues which ostensibly seem very obvious and widespread, and seemed to be applicable from one to the other, are not at all similar.
How is a decision arrived at here?
"There are no sweeping, comprehensive rules," says the Rov emphatically.
It is most imperative to remember that one case does not resemble another, nor does one system compare to another even seemingly similar one. While smoke alarm systems are permissible in most instances, security cameras, for example, or alarm systems, require a specific ruling in every circumstance individually.
We received a question regarding a certain beis knesses which operated security cameras. An investigation showed that at times of simcha celebrations the cameras were used to observe what was going on.
One person inquired about the use of security cameras installed in his home. It turned out that they were primarily installed to show who was as the door, displayed upon a digital screen.
Questions were posed regarding a Smart Home system installed in many homes and other places which were adapted individually according to different needs.
The Rav sums up:
Chazal note that the laws of Shabbos are `mountains suspended upon a hair'. This is all the more true in these times of developed technology which is upgraded all the time.
It is most important to ask a qualified Torah expert in all matters regarding Shabbos, especially regarding digital devices. In general, problems can be solved and surmounted in digital systems through simple adaptations. A wise man with eyes in his head will spare himself a great deal by asking his questions in advance.
