I thought Israel was not a theocracy

[Wiregrass Willie]

Harry Potter's Israel launch pits wizard vs rabbis

Trade and Industry Minister Eli Yishai, whose ultra-Orthodox party Shas is an important member of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's coalition government, said he would dispatch inspectors to report on stores that take part in the book launch.

"It is forbidden, according to Jewish values and Jewish culture, that a thing like this should take place at 2 a.m. on Saturday. Let them do it on another day," he told Israel Radio.

"We will certainly issue fines and prosecution orders, but I hope it won't come to that," Yishai added.

http://www.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP-A/idUSL1893019220070718

[napi21]

1. I don't think they're a theocracy. I also didn't think the US was a theocracy

when had all those blue laws that forbad stores from being open on Sundays! FWIW, my husbamd has worked in a retail store almost all his life, and he MISSES those laws! He HATES working Sundays!

[Wiregrass Willie]

2. It's strange you should bring that up

I can also remember those days. I have made the argument to friends that those old blue laws made for a happier and more secure life for young couples than what we see today.

When I was about 23, I got weekends off, but my wife was in retail and she had to work Saturday. At least we both had Sunday off together. Today, a man may have off Saturday and Wednesday and the wife may get Monday and Thursday. Which means they have no time off together on a regular basis.

No wonder divorce is so common today :-)

But let's be honest. Back then, the National government had no officers to enforce that practice like Israel appears to have.