Israel Herald
04 Feb 2023, 10 GMT+10
By Dr. Jasmin Cowin
Assistant Professor and TESOL Practicum Coordinator
Touro University, TESOL/BLE Department
New York, NY
drcowinj@locationindependentteach.org
Interpretation and application of halakhah to new technologies focusing on metaverses, Oculus Quest or Rift and avatars is an underdiscussed field. The relevance of Jewish law in these spaces should be addressed in discussions between scholars, experts and users. The Mitzvah of Mezzuzah and the application of digital replicas based on physical objects is one example of a topic requiring further examination. The term "metaverse" refers to a virtual world where users interact with each other through avatars. It is a shared, persistent, and immersive environment that transcends the physical world. Extended Reality (XR) technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality bridge the gap between the physical and virtual worlds. Personalized avatars function as the users alter ego and become the active subject in simulation environments. The term simulation refers to artificial representations of real-world processes to achieve goals through immersive user experiences.
The Mitzvah of Mezzuzah states, "Write them on the doorposts of your house and upon your gates" (Devarim 6:9), however no recent rabbinical debates relate to 'virtual' mezuzahs or virtual mezuzah widgets offered on the internet. Avatars, representing a person interact in metaverse simulations with other participants. Interactions can take place within a digital twin, a mirror of physical object, often based on a 3D scan upload into the simulation. Digital twins reflect both the physical object and the context in which it operates together with the actual processes of stimulus and response. If avatars are indeed an alter ego of a person acting in simulations mirroring a physical space, then robust transdisciplinary discussions and guidance regarding 3D simulation environments are needed, like the Weekly Halakah Discussion by Rabbi Donial Yehuda Neustadt. Does the basic Jewish obligation of a mezuzah on the doorpost of Jewish home or classroom extend to its digital mirror? Of course, virtual rooms cant be measured in four cubits by four cubits or more, yet, simulated environments are experienced as real spaces. Perhaps it is time to engage in transdisciplinary discussions and explore the potential implications of dynamic simulation environments for Jewish educators, instructional designers metaverse curators and users to ensure Jewish principles are honored.
Get a daily dose of Israel Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Israel Herald.
More InformationTASHKENT, Uzbekistan: Uzbek authorities said a powerful explosion on September 28 at a warehouse near Tashkent's airport killed one person ...
TALLAHASSEE, Florida: The Florida Lottery said this week that the second-largest lottery winner in U.S. history has come forward to ...
LONDON, UK: This week, the Global Financial Centers index showed that New York remains the world's leading financial center, with ...
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan: In a significant milestone for its defense capabilities, Taiwan has unveiled its first domestically developed submarine. Although it ...
HONIARA, Solomon Islands: Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare revealed that he opted out of a Pacific Islands leaders' summit at the ...
SACRAMENTO, California: Intending to raise some US$160 million per year to help prevent gun violence, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed ...
STOCKHOLM, Sweden: Swedish lithium-ion battery producer Northvolt announced this week that it would build a $5.2 billion gigafactory in the ...
SACRAMENTO, California: Fast food workers will now receive $20 per hour in California, after the governor signed a fast food ...
BEIJING, China: In a deal worth US$10 billion at list prices this week, state-owned carrier China Eastern Airlines announced that ...
BEIJING, China: This week, China Evergrande Group said its founder and chairman, Hui Ka Yan, is being investigated over suspected ...
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, California: In his opening statement this week in the first U.S. trial over allegations that a car autopilot ...
SEATTLE, Washington: As part of Washington's efforts to stop Big Tech from monopolizing the most lucrative parts of the internet, ...
DUBLIN, Ireland - Following its successful acquisition of Hollywood-based Blindlight, Irish video-gaming company Keywords Studios has now announced its latest accomplishment. Keywords r ...
Read More