For ultra-Orthodox Jews: Glasses that blur out immodest women

Jerusalem - New prescription glasses that blur out temptress daughters of Eve are now available for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men in Israel whose religious beliefs require that they strictly avoid contact with women in public, especially "immodestly" dressed women.

The new glasses allow ultra-Orthodox men to maintain a strictly devout lifestyle that prescribes segregation of the sexes on buses, streets, restaurants, parks and other public spaces. According to the ultra-Orthodox interpretation of Jewish law, all contact between unmarried men and women is forbidden. The Associated Press reports that the ultra-Orthodox community's "modesty patrols" are selling the glasses equipped with special blur-inducing stickers on their lenses. The glasses allow for clear vision only up to a few meters but all objects beyond that range are blurry. Ultra-Orthodox men who want additional protection from sight polluting presence of "immodest women" may also adopt extra measures with hoods, and shields that block peripheral vision, The Associated Press reports. The latest measures are part of efforts to guard religious men from exposure to sexual temptation and sin. According to The Associated Press, ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods in Israel have signs exhorting women to wear closed-necked, long-sleeved blouses and skirts. Women who flout the rules may be accosted, harassed and embarrassed. The glasses are going for the affordable price of $US6.