[Avodah] Tahor App

[Micha Berger via Avodah]

Someone mentioned tahorapp.com on-line, so I took a look at their web site.
To quote:
> Keeping Tradition &
> Keeping Your Privacy

> Rabbinically Approved! Anonymously send pictures of your Taharas
> Hamishpacha questions to a Rav right from your own home. Receive answers
> quickly and privately. Download Tahor App For Free!

I then thought of "The Dress" <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_dress>,
a picture of a black-and-blue dress that floated around the internet that
many of us perceived as white-and-gold.

So, given that people guess at the background lighting when they see a
picture and then subconsciously correct for it (see explanation on
wikipedia page), how could a rav rely on a Tahor App image?

So, I filled out their contact form with something to that effect, and
a short discussion followed.

They replied:
: Color Precision:

: Thank you for your inquiry,

: To clarify (as this seems not to be clear):

: "Tahor" is meant to serve as a halachically approved "filter" for a
: majority of Shailos (many of which are straightforward and simple to
: determine). It is meant to allow those who may not have access to a rov, or
: who may not feel comfortable going to a rov, to have an option, when
: halachically viable, to send in their sample anonymously.

: What this app is not:
: This app IS NOT meant to be an umbrella replacement for the process of
: showing questionable bedikah cloths to Rabbonim. Rabbonim were all able to
: pasken correctly because of our advanced white balance technology and
: Rabbinic measurement capabilities. The cloths which are borderline or
: questionable, will be told to show the actual cloth to a Rabbi.

: It is obviously preferable to take the cloth directly to the Rabbi when
: possible, but many many women are not doing it! This will allow them to
: keep Taharat Hamishpachah and get accurate answers.

I felt I was getting a barely touched form letter, so I paraphrased
my original question:

} But given that the human eye will misinterpret colors when the lighting
} differs between the camera and the person looking at the picture, how
} can you know the results are accurate? After all, the differences in
} perception of the colors of The Dress is far far greater han that between
} a tamei brown and a tahor one.

And their reply:
: Shalom,
: Yes, this is true.
: This is why the Rabbis will only answer questions through the app which are
: clearly one or the other.

: An example of this would be if a stain on underwear is less than a gris.

: The Rabbi can with complete accurately declare this Pure/Impure.

: If the Rabbi feels that it is not so clear, he will tell the user to go to
: a Rav.

I am letting it drop there, because I am not going to argue anyone
into wondering whether or not his pet project works.

But I myself am still wondering.... Given how pronounced optical illusions
can be when it comes to color and how subtle many determinations are,
can a rav even know when the question is "clearly one way or the other"
rather than only seeming obvious?

I saw the dress in a catalog, so I know I am getting it wrong when I look
at the infamous picture. And yet, it's suprising. If it weren't for people
reporting a different color set, I would have considered white-and-gold
"clearly" right.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             Today is the 30th day, which is
micha at aishdas.org        4 weeks and 2 days in/toward the omer.
http://www.aishdas.org   Gevurah sheb'Hod: When does capitulation
Fax: (270) 514-1507                  result in holding back from others?