New credit card for Jews won’t work on Sabbath;
Israeli bank, ultra-orthodox leaders say card can protect holy day
NBC News - Dec. 6, 2004

All over the globe the weekend is the busiest time for shopping.

Consumer life in Israel is no different, despite the religious observance of the holy day of Sabbath from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday. For example, the biggest revenue day at the Shfaim shopping center, just 15 miles north of Tel-Aviv, is Saturday.

However for Jews who strictly observe the Sabbath — the holy day of rest, according to the Jewish religion — shopping and any form of entertainment are forbidden. Moreover, ultra-orthodox Jews are even stricter and will boycott shops and restaurants that operate on Saturdays.

Now, Bank Leumi, one of Israel's largest banks, and a group of ultra-orthodox leaders and entrepreneurs see a business opportunity in this niche market. They plan to introduce a special credit card that will not work on the Sabbath and that will not function in stores that don't observe the Sabbath.

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Talk about out of hand...