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Jews Eat Up Kosher 'Koogle' Search Engine

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 15, 2009 1:34 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Orthodox Jews have long been discouraged from searching the Internet due to rabbinical restrictions on viewing immodest content. No longer, Reuters reports. Enter Koogle—the name is a mashup of Google and a traditional Jewish noodle dish—a Hebrew-language search engine that filters out non-kosher content and appears to meet Orthodox standards.

Koogle also prevents un-kosher shopping activity. “If you try to buy something on the Sabbath,” the site’s manager said, “it gets stuck and won’t let you.” It also keeps users from purchasing forbidden items, like TVs. The manager said the site was developed at the behest of rabbis who wanted Orthodox Jews to be able to search the Internet for basic news and needs.

A screenshot from Koogle, at http://www.koogle.co.il/.
A screenshot from Koogle, at http://www.koogle.co.il/.   (Koogle)
Ultra-orthodox Jewish men walk to morning prayers during the Jewish holiday of Passover near Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem's Old City.
Ultra-orthodox Jewish men walk to morning prayers during the Jewish holiday of Passover near Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem's Old City.   (AP Photo)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men gather at a yeshiva in Jerusalem.
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men gather at a yeshiva in Jerusalem.   (AP Photo)
An ultra-Orthodox man walks past a sign calling on women to dress modestly in a religious neighborhood in Jerusalem.
An ultra-Orthodox man walks past a sign calling on women to dress modestly in a religious neighborhood in Jerusalem.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Newser001
Jun 16, 2009 6:13 AM CDT
Add the literal; ' Goy shel Shabbat ' (Sabbath Gentile). One who does the work of others who are not allowed to work on the Sabbath, High-Holy Days. Goy shel Shabbat is an absolute oxymoron, as you are still performing work (an extension of yourself - as if G-d is none the wiser), through a third party which is forbade through the teachings of the Talmud, (with few exceptions are permitted - i.e., life saving situations, etc, but not regular day to day business transactions (dependent on your particular beliefs - i.e., some within Reformed Judaism).
Newser001
Jun 16, 2009 6:02 AM CDT
Thanks for clueing us in, asschowder.
Newser001
Jun 16, 2009 5:50 AM CDT
Paul, Those that wish to have such services are entitled. I agree with the fact that of one wants to negate the search engine, they will. Understand, freedom of religion is everyone's right. Those who are not UOJs (Ultra-Orthodox Jews) or OJs, have no real understanding of their lives, other than what they see superficially, really have no justification with regard to comment on filtering / search engines, as it has no impact on others who chose not to participate. If these people elect to live their lives, as they do, let them, as long as it doesn't impede our freedoms of the general populace (Israel is supposed to be a secular State, but isn't necessarily run in such a manner - Right-winged citizens of Israel want a theocracy, similar to Iran and other Middle-Eastern States). It's easy to mock others and by doing so it simply brings into light, disrespect, intolerance, prejudices, fears of other's beliefs who's desire to live their lives in a way they choose. It's quite easy to point at anyone who believes in a G-d or deity, as utter foolishness. And there are those who argue for their right to believe in such things. The pathetic thing encompassing this discussion, everyone else thinks their G-d is better than anyone else's - That anyone other than themselves is going to hell, etc, etc, etc - That posturing is ridiculous and farcical.

The site itself, for Hebrew readers
Koogle

 
Internet • kosher • search engine • rabbi • Orthodox Jews • Koogle

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