>>>Last week friend of mine went to Israel to visit his wife's parents. It was eve before Yom Kippur. He had to do all the phone calls
>>>ahead certain point in time because after certain hour no phone (or electrical device as I u/stood) would work there.
>>>I understand people are not supposed to work that day but what about phones etc ?
>>>What is the background behind that ?
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>>First, I'm pretty phones actually do work because of emergencies and so forth. (My Israeli uncle landed in the hospital just before Yom Kippur, and there was news throughout.)
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>>That said, Yom Kippur is considered to be "the Sabbath of Sabbaths," so all the usual Sabbath rules apply and then some. The term "work" is pretty broadly defined. Observant folks, for example, don't turn on a light switch or a stove because it involves "making fire." I haven't read through this, but it lists the types of work that are prohibited: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activities_prohibited_on_Shabbat
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>>The ubiquity of phones and devices is definitely making this stuff more interesting. Although I'm not all that observant, I turn off my computer and put away my phone before Yom Kippur begins and don't touch them until the holiday ends. But the last few years, I've not only seen people in synagogue with their phones along (which I did the year my mother was dying), but using them at the synagogue. Mostly teens, but a few years ago, you wouldn't have seen that.
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>It is interesting that list is so matticulous. It basically prohibits more less any activity that was normally going on 2-3 centuries back.
>It would be interesting to see revised/updated (2013) version of this list! It would probably have 39000+ activities.
>
>I am sure today's teens do not have any problem to refrain from 'Combing wool' or 'Smoothing' (kitchen surfaces) or even 'Baking' , but hey no smart phones ??
>That is waaaaay to much to ask! {g}

My daughters are permanently tethered to their smartphones. I really do think it's a generational thing. They check them about every two minutes for text messages. (Not so much emails; that is so "dad"). I implemented one rule that cell phones be stashed in the middle of the table during dinner. They didn't like that at all. "Someone may have texted me! They may think I'm ignoring them!"