UK's chief rabbi meant no criticism of Steve Jobs, uses an iPad & iPhone daily
The chief rabbi of the United Kingdom has clarified his earlier comments about Apple and Steve Jobs, noting that while consumerism can be dangerous, products like the iPhone do offer true benefits.
Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks gained attention for comments he made in the presence of the Queen of the Commonwealth realms in which he criticized companies like Apple for contributing to a consumer society. But the rabbi felt his comments were misinterpreted, and a spokesman for the Office of the Chief Rabbi reached out to AppleInsider on Monday to offer a clarification.
"The Chief Rabbi meant no criticism of either Steve Jobs personally or the contribution Apple has made to the development of technology in the 21st century," the office's official statement reads. "He admires both and indeed uses both an iPhone and an iPad on a daily basis. The Chief Rabbi was simply pointing out the potential dangers of consumerism when taken too far."
In his comments, Sacks compared Apple's iPad to a modern day version of Moses' stone tablets which carried the Ten Commandments. He used Apple's "i-product" naming scheme, with devices like the iPhone, iPod and iPad, to criticize "an individualist, egocentric culture."
But the rabbi's comments were intended to be a condemnation of the users of new technology and the individualism they are seen as exhibiting, rather than placing the blame on the products themselves.
Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks gained attention for comments he made in the presence of the Queen of the Commonwealth realms in which he criticized companies like Apple for contributing to a consumer society. But the rabbi felt his comments were misinterpreted, and a spokesman for the Office of the Chief Rabbi reached out to AppleInsider on Monday to offer a clarification.
"The Chief Rabbi meant no criticism of either Steve Jobs personally or the contribution Apple has made to the development of technology in the 21st century," the office's official statement reads. "He admires both and indeed uses both an iPhone and an iPad on a daily basis. The Chief Rabbi was simply pointing out the potential dangers of consumerism when taken too far."
In his comments, Sacks compared Apple's iPad to a modern day version of Moses' stone tablets which carried the Ten Commandments. He used Apple's "i-product" naming scheme, with devices like the iPhone, iPod and iPad, to criticize "an individualist, egocentric culture."
But the rabbi's comments were intended to be a condemnation of the users of new technology and the individualism they are seen as exhibiting, rather than placing the blame on the products themselves.
Comments
The chief rabbi of the United Kingdom has clarified his earlier comments about Apple and Steve Jobs, noting that while consumerism can be dangerous, products like the iPhone do offer true benefits.
Looks like his mouth is writing checks that his ass can't cash!
There are a lot more Apple fans than there are members of his congregation. And when push comes to shove, I bet a bunch of his followers will pick Steve!
I wonder just how marvelous people felt the US Postal system was when it came out. It must have been a great invention way back in the 1700s.
The chief rabbi of the United Kingdom has clarified his earlier comments about Apple and Steve Jobs, noting that while consumerism can be dangerous, products like the iPhone do offer true benefits.
Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks gained attention for comments he made in the presence of the Queen of the Commonwealth realms in which he criticized companies like Apple for contributing to a consumer society. But the rabbi felt his comments were misinterpreted, and a spokesman for the Office of the Chief Rabbi reached out to AppleInsider on Monday to offer a clarification.
"The Chief Rabbi meant no criticism of either Steve Jobs personally or the contribution Apple has made to the development of technology in the 21st century," the office's official statement reads. "He admires both and indeed uses both an iPhone and an iPad on a daily basis. The Chief Rabbi was simply pointing out the potential dangers of consumerism when taken too far."
In his comments, Sacks compared Apple's iPad to a modern day version of Moses' stone tablets which carried the Ten Commandments. He used Apple's "i-product" naming scheme, with devices like the iPhone, iPod and iPad, to criticize "an individualist, egocentric culture."
But the rabbi's comments were intended to be a condemnation of the users of new technology and the individualism they are seen as exhibiting, rather than placing the blame on the products themselves.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
His comments are as relevant as Christ is to his congregation - file this under "Read once, forgotten immediately".
Sacks compared Apple's iPad to a modern day version of Moses' stone tablets which carried the Ten Commandments.
This makes no sense on any level. Most depictions of the biblical tablets aren't even rectangles.
Thou shall not have Flash installed
Thou shall not have a user accessible file system
Thou shall not have a stylus or a mouse
Thou shall not Jailbreak thy device
Thou shall obtain all thy apps from the AppStore
Thou shall upgrade to the newest device annually
Thou shall integrate thy data through the cloud
Thou shall stand in a queue in front of the temple at the Mall
Thou shall affix an Apple logo to the window of thy car.
Thou shall not speak the name of Steve Jobs in vain
Thou shall not use a false tablet and thou shall not become a Fandroid.
That explains why the rabbi uses the real deal.
In his comments, Sacks compared Apple's iPad to a modern day version of Moses' stone tablets which carried the Ten Commandments. He used Apple's "i-product" naming scheme, with devices like the iPhone, iPod and iPad, to criticize "an individualist, egocentric culture."
Another religious <idiot> who didn't read the right books, lol, and news stories indicating the "i" stood for "internet."
Oh, and the "i" in Rabbi? Hmmm...... I wonder if Rabbisw is spelled: Rabbi$?
But what do you expect from a believer in fairy tales.
Maybe this rabbi should reevaluate his own faith.
It seems like either oversimplification in his speech or misinterpretation on our behalf, not having been there. I seriously doubt that an iPhone and iPad user literally thinks that "Steve Jobs laid down the consumer culture". (Something that existed way before Apple). I assume he was just using Jobs as an example, with some hyperbole thrown in.
At least his office issued a clarification instead of sticking to his guns. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that it's a misunderstanding...
"He admires both and indeed uses both an iPhone and an iPad on a daily basis. The Chief Rabbi was simply pointing out the potential dangers of consumerism when taken too far."
I use both an automobile and motorcycle on a daily basis. I'm simply pointing out the dangers of driving them too far...
What a d!ck...
If the rabbi felt his speech was misinterpreted, why was it a spokesman doing the damage control, rather than the rabbi himself?
I thought religious leaders spoke for their god? instead a spokesperson speaks for the speakers of god. maybe this whole god thing is not really true?
Looks like his mouth is writing checks that his ass can't cash!
There are a lot more Apple fans than there are members of his congregation. And when push comes to shove, I bet a bunch of his followers will pick Steve!
Why can't we pick neither?