Brooklyn, NY – OpEd – CitiField Asifa: Filtering Ourselves, Not Just The Internet

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    Advertising material used to the Asifah campaignBrooklyn, NY – Much has been said, both pro and con, about the upcoming Asifa sponsored by the Ichud Hakehillos Letohar Hamachaneh which will be taking place in CitiField on May 20th.  This article is not meant to criticize the forthcoming Asifa. Rather, it is an attempt to help us focus and shed light upon a fundamental achrayus, a responsibility, that we all share equally.  And it is this achrayus which we as a community have not, as of yet, adequately addressed.

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    The ubiquitous rise of the internet in the past decade has been quite staggering.  It has created a very new and different world in terms of the instant communication of ideas and news.  And the numbers are astounding.

    The data on the UN’s International Telecommunications Union (ITU) site shows that the estimated number of Internet users had reached 2.08 billion by the end of 2010, compared to 1.86 billion a year earlier.  By the end of 2012 it could very well reach 2.3 billion.

    This boils down to the fact that 1 in every 3 people in the world actively surfs the internet.  And those one out of three are not hermits hiding in a remote shell.  They surely discuss things with others too.

    Why should we care about all this?

    Because now, more than ever before, we must be on the lookout to avoid Chilul Shaim Shamayim – a desecration of Hashem’s Holy Name.  It is, let us remember, a verse in Sefer VaYikrah (22:32), “Lo sechalelu es shaim kodshi – And you shall not profane My Holy Name; but I shall be sanctified among the children of Israel: I am the L-rd who sanctifies you.”

     Now, with the remarkable speed of the internet, any desecration of G-d’s Name on our part that is reported almost anywhere is known instantly across the world.

    Both the magnitude and the ramifications of this notion are truly staggering.  And in this pasuk, lays the achrayus that we all share.

    It is the violation of this posuk, which perhaps represents the greatest challenge that has been opened up by the breadth and scope of the internet.  The colossus known as the World Wide Web has brought us face to face with our greatest challenge – ourselves – and our internal commitment to literally choose life.

    The upcoming Asifa in CitiField has the potential to be a major opportunity in addressing the underlying causes of Chilul Hashem and how to prevent them.

    In our current day and age, news is reported not only in newspapers but online as well and while today’s newspaper may get tossed in the trash, what is posted on the internet remains available indefinitely for all to see. The most horrific and egregious violations of decency are chronicled on a daily basis and whether it is an issue of molestation, theft, fraud, Ponzi scheming, money-laundering or whatever other ill, not a day goes by without a Chilul Hashem being reported.  The violations are of a proportion and scale that were unimaginable a mere twenty five years ago.  This is not to say that all of the allegations are completely true or even partially true, but we must make it our business to stay away from even the appearance of impropriety, and we are not doing that.

    SERIOUSNESS OF CHILUL HASHEM

    Rabbeinu Yonah (Shaarei Teshuvah 3:158) writes that Chilul Hashem is the greatest of all sins.  He writes, citing the Gemorah in Yuma (86a) that neither Teshuvah nor the hardships and travails of life atone for it.  Atonement can only be achieved at one’s death and only when accompanying the proper Teshuvah.

    We stand now in the middle of Sefirah, in a state of mourning for the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva who died tragically in a plague.  The Gemorah in Yevamos (62b) states clearly that their Aveirah was that they did not accord each other the proper respect.  The question is most blaring.  Granted, they violated the Mitzvah of Onaas Dvarim and maybe even negated the Mitzvah of V’Ahavta l’rayacha Kamocha.  But the death penalty?  Why was their Aveirah so severely punished?

    The answer is that this lack of respect to one another constituted a grave Chilul Hashem.   The deaths of 24,000 students were on account of Chilul Hashem.  When we consider the much greater magnitude of Chilul Hashem in our generation, with the fact that there are two billion plus potential readers – the ramifications are mind-boggling!

    A POSSIBLE SOLUTION

    So how can we best address this problem?

    True, we need filters on our routers, computers, and other products and gizmos.  But we need filters on our own selves, as well.

    We need to filter out examples of improper behavior, and things that are antithetical to Torah-true ideals and midos.

    We can begin by asking ourselves certain questions.  Are we really teaching our children and our students our Torah values?  Are we telling them that every person is a Tzelem Elokim and to attempt to be as honest as possible in all our business dealings?  Are we providing our children and our students with examples of MiDvar Sheker Tirchak in our day to day actions and activities?

    The problem here is not that a Chilul Hashem is caused when the crimes of Jewish people are broadcast across the internet for all the world to see.  The problem is that there are Jews who are committing crimes in the first place.  By pointing the finger of blame for this Chilul Hashem at the internet, we are no different than the small child who covers their eyes thinking that if they can’t see anyone, then no one can see them.

    If organizers of the Assifah are correct, and tens of thousands of people show up at CitiField, then this event will be the perfect opportunity to educate those assembled about the reality of life in 2012:  any time a Jew does anything wrong the chances are excellent that it will be reported on the internet.

    There will be many prominent Rabbonim present at CitiField on May20th.  It is perhaps time for things to be told like it is: the internet is a fact of life whose use grows more widespread on a daily basis and each and every one of us has the achrayus to make sure that our actions are appropriate and just, because the reality is that if we do something wrong, it will very likely be reported on the internet, to a worldwide audience of over two billion people.

    If we don’t want to see Jews with yarmulkas being splashed across the internet news sites, then we need to make sure that Jews with yarmulkas stop doing things that are wrong.

    The words of Pirkei Avos are literally unfolding before our eyes.  Not just in the celestial realms, but even in this world, there are watchful eyes and listening ears who write down our actions in a book for all to see.  We need to take this reality very seriously, as each of us has the responsibility to make sure that the media has only positive things to report about the Jewish people.

    Two further suggestions might also be instructive, here.

    The first one lies in a common expression – “the best defense is a good offense.”  The best way to focus on preventing Chilul hashem is to actively try to create Kiddush Hashem, whenever and wherever we are.

    When Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky zt”l passed away his family members discovered in his papers a kaballah that he accepted upon himself.  The Kaballah was to perform no less than two acts of Chessed per day.  Perhaps we can attempt to try to perform two mini-acts of Kiddush Hashem each day as well.   We should start off small, and without a neder, but a gradual entry into this mindset might go a very long way in avoiding chillul Hashem.  And no act is too tiny for Kiddush Hashem.  Helping someone in a supermarket line put their groceries on the counter, being a courteous driver, smiling and saying hello are all prime examples of mini-acts of Kiddush Hashem that we can do daily.  And there are bigger ones that we can perform too.

    The second suggestion lies in the power of learning Mussar and inspirational texts.  Some of us may recall that long ago there was such a thing as a Mussar Movement, where Reb Yisroel Salanter promulgated the idea of learning Mussar not just as a text, but with feeling and inspiration.

    He wrote that it should be studied with “sfasayim dolkos – with lips aflame.”  Don’t we remember our Roshei Yeshiva waxing emotionally about the grandeur of Kelm, of the Mussar regimen in Novardhok and in Slabodka?  Each of these Yeshivos had a unique brand of Mussar.

    We need to give bring back the genuine Mussar shmuessim of the Yeshivos of yore.  The fiery words of a Rav Yechezkel Levenstein zt”l must once again permeate our Neshamos. We need to bring back the half hour daily Mussar Seder, where Mesilas Yesharim, Orchos Tzaddikim and Chovos HaLevavos resounded in our Batei Midrashim for a half of an hour straight.  In short we need to reignite our dedication to improvement and the refinement of our neshamos.

    Rav Henoch Leibowitz zt”l once explained in a Rosh HaShana Mussar Shmuess that a commitment to daily Mussar study may not resolve all our character flaws right away, and even over time it will take enormous effort if it works at all, but what it does do is quantify our commitment to change and to improve.  Doing so down here will earn us assistance in shamayim to reach these worthy and lofty goals.

    Countless times throughout our day, we have the opportunity to create either a Kiddush Hashem or a Chilul Hashem with our actions.  Just as we apply much needed filters to our internet to keep the content appropriate, we must apply filters to our own actions so that they are appropriate as well.

    The author can be reached at [email protected]

    Rabbi Yair Hoffman, is an an Orthodox Rabbi and educator, author of several Seforim on Halachah and a former Morah Desarah of a Shul in Long Island, Rav Hoffman is a well respected Torah figure with close contacts with many leading halachic authorities.


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    80 Comments
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    Professor
    Professor
    11 years ago

    I dont believe that this is the point of “citifield”. But what rabbi Hoffman writes is probably one of the most important issue today.
    Obviously in order to make a kiddush hashem, we misst understand who we are. As rabbi hoffman states. We are after all Tzelem Allokim.

    UseYourHead
    UseYourHead
    11 years ago

    What I found somewhat troubling is that the ads proclaim that the Gedolei HaDor have stated that it is a “Chovah” for every person to attend this event. However, I believe there are (ken yirbu) more than 40,000 frum men above the age of 18. So, this is literally impossible. How can they mandate the impossible and expect it to be taken seriously?

    Yechi
    Yechi
    11 years ago

    Sounds like a Plan

    doing acts of chesed,,, wow it might just bring Mosheiach

    shmielglassman
    shmielglassman
    11 years ago

    very good points rav hoffman
    all the gedolim that will grace the dais at citi field spend the other 364 days a year teaching by example & by 1000’s of shmuessen STRESSING EXACTLY YOUR POINTS – one can pick up thousands of shmuessen on rabeinu yonah ,chovos halevovos….mesilas yesharim.. BY FOCUSING ON ONE HUGE ISSUE DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE IGNORING ALL THE OTHERS!! ( if the siyum hashas stresses torah study as a prime avodah does that mean they are ignoring “sholom bayis” personally ive been spending more time on the road & one will be amazed at the amount of quality shiurim avail.

    secondly if the internet has the ability to magnify & publicise our shortcomings than this asifa would do much in the area of damage control limiting the chillul hashem somewhat. our own perception of am yisroel has been inluenced in a huge way.
    not publicising our own failings is not a virtue but it makes sense!
    the success at citifield is proof to the level of ” lishmah” that these 2 gedolim have invested.

    11 years ago

    Brilliant article.

    I hope there is more an emphasis on this than on looking on stupid porn pictures.

    Rabbi Hoffman, I think this is a bigger danger.

    a-simple-jew
    a-simple-jew
    11 years ago

    “The upcoming Asifa in CitiField has the potential to be a major opportunity in addressing the underlying causes of Chilul Hashem and how to prevent them.” Thank you Rabbi Hoffman. A beautifully written article and something we must all learn from and seriously take to heart. The Asifa will certainly be that much more meaningful and successful if this issue is addressed.

    ayinglefunadorf
    ayinglefunadorf
    11 years ago

    “Not a day goes by without a Chilul Hashem being reported. Molestation,theft,fraud,Ponzi,Moneylaundering etc” Rbbi Hoffman is talking about the frumm community, without Internet and or filters. Leither its much worse than many not orthodox places with computers. Maybe its time to use the Internet for good of the Klal. Learning, Parnosoh, Chesed…

    Ben_Kol
    Ben_Kol
    11 years ago

    Another excellent article by Rabbi Hoffman.

    There are some yidden who believe that gezel akum is assur “only” because of Chillul HaShem. Therefore, they rationalize that if they can get away with it, it is permitted. That loophole no longer exists. Today, inappropriate behaviour is likely to be recorded on someone’s cell phone camera, emails found on someone’s server. And when the aveirah is discovered and publicized, IT GOES AROUND THE WORLD. There are videos on YouTube of yidden making a chillul Hashen that have millions of views.
    If you care at all about Hashem and His Torah, please behave at all times with the utmost derech eretz and integrity. As Rabbi Hoffman writes, we must avoid even the appearance of impropriety (maris ha’ayin).

    shredready
    shredready
    11 years ago

    The problem here is not that a Chilul Hashem is caused when the crimes of Jewish people are broadcast across the internet for all the world to see. The problem is that there are Jews who are committing crimes in the first place. By pointing the finger of blame for this Chilul Hashem at the internet, we are no different than the small child who covers their eyes thinking that if they can’t see anyone, then no one can see them.

    he is correct but what we see is the opposite. When something gets out most people robonum and 80% of the comments on this web site concentrate on who was the mosser? How could they talk to the NY Times, why did the person go to the police the media or whatever.

    it seems most people are missing the boat, the messenger is not the problem people or blogs who expose it is not the problem, it is people who do these things that are the problem.

    sadly this asifa will continue this mind set unless unles maybe they will allow Rabbi Yair Hoffman to speak

    when is the last time we heard a asifa or anything like it, condemning fraud, scams. tax evasion, lying to get government programs? However, they are many times that we hear condemning people who expose it

    Darek
    Darek
    11 years ago

    I think ppl are a little confused what a chilul hashem is. In my opinion a chilul hashem is to kick out boys from yeshiva. A chilul hashem that sep 1 girls have no school to go to. A chilul hashem is to force ppl to go to an asifa they aren’t interested in… U get the drift…

    11 years ago

    רבי יוחנן בן ברוקא אומר, כל המחלל שם שמים בסתר נפרעים ממנו בגלוי. אחד שוגג ואחד מזיד בחילול השם.

    The one misleading concept in this article, which I’m sure was unintended by the author but seems to be widely believed, is that chilul Hashem is that which is publicized. The above mishna makes it clear that publicity is not the criterion for something to be considered chilul Hashem. If the goyishe media reports it, it is because we are guilty for allowing such behavior. We have every right to have complaints about the anti-Jewish and anti-frum media. But the chilul Hashem issue is not about the reports or the getting caught. It is about our failure to direct our lives to fulfill the Will of Hashem in everything we do, in both physical and spiritual realms. We need to return to emphasizing ahavas and yir’as Hashem, not the externals of levush, photo ops, kavod, and the rest. When the insides are empty and bare, people look for the excitements offered by the yetzer horah.

    Member
    11 years ago

    To internet or not to internet. A chasm of intellectual divide.

    11 years ago

    when the speed sign says 30 or 55 or 65 and our kids see us speeding, or when they see the parents talk on the cell while driving, they learn by example how not to take the law, any law, torah or otherwise seriously. why should they listen to the gedoilim? why should they listen to them when they become adults? they got “good” practical education that they will carry with them for life!!! this is a small but powerful example how we fail in our education.

    11 years ago

    instead of transcending the moment and shedding their kavod for the sake of klal yisrael, we see a fight over who will sit more to the center. why should the tzibur have respect for what they have to say?

    Vasserman
    Vasserman
    11 years ago

    This asifa will ultimately be the cause for chillul Hashem. The media will be focused on the protesters who will be highlighting the problems of pedophilia which has been a very hot topic with a very tepid response on the part of the Gedolim. There is no large gathering or unified consensus on how to remove the scourge of molestation from our midst which is far more damaging to us than any internet site. Molestation also affects families who don’t use the internet. It affects us all.

    Stickpick
    Stickpick
    11 years ago

    It’s all very nice to wipe off all current problems on the internet. But what about our so called chinuch leaders who are supposed to be our prime example and fail in every sense of the word.
    who can blame my kids for going off the deres when they’ve been good abiding students. Not the smartest academicly. So they got a just above average Or just below average on their mid terms/finals and they studied. So comes the menahel/principal calls them aside in front of other students and washes down my kids as though something terrible just happened and cuz of them the world will collapse c”v. These kids come out feeling sorry they ever tried. It’s not their fault. They feel belittled not worth an iota in the principles eyes. They were just wrung out like a piece of garbage. It only starts here. These kids are not given a chance to prove themselves better. Ah they have golden middos that means zero to todays principals. A 90% pass must do or else get lost. So these kids start spiralling downwards. In the goyshe world they’ll be looked up at and admired despite their academic possibilities. So that’s where they turn to to feel humane again.
    another issue is, when there is a problem in a class that a menahel/principal MUST take care of and they don’t cuz these teens “will outgrow????!!!” It. How then can it be that a suffering child won’t look elsewhere to be loved instead of looked down at by peers.
    how many kids are left at home or forced to attend public school despite the vast difference just cus the local schools would not accept them (who knows why? Money? Schools kovod?) Then we wonder so many of our children fall away…
    YES!! Its not the internet it’s the personal kovod our so called leaders are seeking. So get a life and change the asifas topic.

    grandpajoe
    grandpajoe
    11 years ago

    Im ani li mi li – we are responsible for our own actions – wheather we get up to go to shule in the morning, eating properly, behaving in public in a positive way. We frum jews are always in uniform, be it the Kippa, clothes, hats, tzisis hanging out, whatever – these are reminders that Hashem watches us we have to be our own policemen for use of a term.
    The Asifa is telling the world the frum community can’t handle it – it is washing our laundry in pulic. What should be done is asifa’s in the yeshiva’s and shules telling the people how to handle and work with the environment. What the article is saying is we have to make personal Asifa’s

    Insider
    Insider
    11 years ago

    Yair Hoff,man you’re great. However, forgive me, the discussion is the personal use of the internet, and that is what is being addressed. Once we’re off topic, may as well talk about bitul zman and bitul Torah. Perhaps, stressing the use of the internet to learn Torah (hebrewbooks.org, torah.org, etc., etc.) would be infinitely more productive. Using the Asifa as an instuctional on exploiting the internet for learning Torah and doing chesed would be a much more powerful suggesstion. Yair, take it and run with it.

    11 years ago

    I mostly agree with Rabbi Hoffman. But ultimately, we need “filters” on ourselves. When a person has his own “filter”, meaning he has his own teivas under control and leads a ethical life not just among yidden, but also among goyim, that person will not need filters on other aspects of life. One cannot lead an erhlichdike existence if that person leads a double life by being dishonest with government programs and non-Jews alike. This is just chilul Hashem and hypocrisy of the worst kind.

    11 years ago

    I bought extra tickets for friends but I think teenagers should not be allowed any cell phones that have computer connections. Also parents who need internet for work should keep their computers locked up in a room as if it were a loaded gun. Or the community should have a central location with hundreds of filtered computers available for adults needing them for work and not having to keep it at home. Another option is for local yeshiva heads to be connected to all parents computers and thus monitor any site the parent body acceses. Also the marriage age should be lowered to 16 for boys dropping out of yeshiva.

    Lonewolf
    Lonewolf
    11 years ago

    As Someone who has extensive experience with the OTD (off the derech) community , I can point to one of the big problems we have. Children today see Rebbe’s and frum people keeping almost all mitzvos, with just 1 exception, for some this exception is “Veohavta lreiacha comocha” , for others its “Lo samoed al dam reechah” , for others yet its become a way of life living off the “Fetter” And for all of these They find a justification or Hetter.
    The children however also want to omit only one mitzva, ( it always starts with only 1) since it’s not kovod their after, they choose something else.
    A bad example is being set by the emperor/s and when they find out he has no clothes ( anyone that can fight his brother or his brother in law has no clothes, what are they fighting for? Kovod? Money? Is it worth all the lost souls? If you’re a true Tzadik Your followers will follow you regardless of the name of the congregation you’re using. The Chillul H coming out of these fights is horrendous.)
    That’s an even bigger problem.

    Yossi_Schochet
    Yossi_Schochet
    11 years ago

    What if you belong to the group that was not davkah invited and then reluctantly invited – is it a chova on them to attend also?

    Like, did the belated invitation serve as a giluy da’as that they are indeed part of Klal Yisroel, or was the invitation simply like an onnas and kofoy shed – therefore we cannot take it as a yesod, binyan av and limud?

    Is it indeed better to daven b’yechidus then in their minyan (even when a chiyuv)? Likewise if travelling, is it better to not eat their shabbos meals and instead simply buy the minimal non-kosher food to just survive (avoiding pikuach nefesh)?

    maxedout
    maxedout
    11 years ago

    I dont know about everyone else, but I wish this stupid asifa would just be over already.

    11 years ago

    Great point regarding improving inner Yiras Shamayim. Proper Mussar Sefarim can be helpful. It is time, though, that the importance of studying Chasidus (especially Chabad Chasidus)be emphasized not just by Chabad Chasidim. This incredible comprehensive Limud has awakened hunreds of thousands of Yidden with inner Yiras Shamayim and spirit. Many people have not studied it due to false impressions and ideas of what this is about. Certainly Yiras Shamayim is ultimately dependent on the individual, but the inner connection of the Neshama these teachings accomplish by anyone who studies them cannot be overestimated..

    UriLevi
    UriLevi
    11 years ago

    Best editorial on V.I.N yet.

    shmiell
    shmiell
    11 years ago

    Rabbi Hoffman, you have a very valid point, which indeed is something which should be mentioned. Many Gedolim of previous generations expressed similar ideas when various technologies became available, such as telephones and cameras; we are all familiar with the Mishna in Ovos: “da ma limaala mimcha, ayin roeh v’ozen shomaas” and you have certainly made the case that the internet teaches us “v’chol maasecha basefer nichtovim” and may I add “vinechtomim l’alter” because people automatically will believe whatever loshon hora they hear or read, thus effectively “sealing the case” before the trial has begun.
    This, however, is only one issue; the problem of internet is multifaceted, and there are many issues which need to be addressed.
    (Of course, whoever releases the information or attracts the media’s attention is guilty of loshon hora, which is exponentially magnified, as you have pointed out; the organizers of the “counter demonstration” should take this into account)

    My only question to you is: if you truly mean this Lsheim Shomayim, why don’t you speak to the people in charge of the asifa? Why bring it to VIN to open another round of bashing? Call your “close contacts” instead!

    elliot770
    elliot770
    11 years ago

    TO comment 39Although I agree learning chasidus chabad brings yiras shomayim it is naive to think the yeshiva world will embrace this limud. R ather there should be more of an emphasis on the lost learning of sifrei yira and mussar in yeshivos.Tounge in cheek I would call it mussar seder alov hasholom in yeshivos.Although I am Chabad by choice, I can still remember with awe Rav Elya Svei Z”L learning mussar in Philadelphia Yeshiva. Anyone Who heard Rav Shmuel Berenbaums Z”L shmuesen as I did his total comittment to learning lishmah was left with an life long impression.The way to fight this problem is to be mechazek learning ToraH and sifrei yirah and mussar .Those who want to learn chasidus should increase in chasidus . The main point is to ad in Torah. Making rallys and causing bitul Torah to yeshivaleit to fill up a stadeum is not in my humble opinion a way to combat the problem.I saw Rav Shmuel Berenbaum ZlL chol hamoed raising money his first question always before he asked for a donation VOS LERNST DU.I saw a diferent generation . He was my guest chol hamoed 30 yrs in Chicago Sukos. He came back12 am and was up 5 am learning .I doubt he would have sanctioned mass bitul tora.

    GreatGuy1
    GreatGuy1
    11 years ago

    Thank u Rabbi Hoffman for this wonderful article
    You are so right, this is the real solution to this whole internet problem
    Its easy to say that we have no solution then let’s gather 50K people and….

    But to change our education system, upgarde our skills and manors, that’s nobody willing to do

    Why??
    Probably there is no money or kuved involved in it
    So that’s how we look

    el-duderino
    el-duderino
    11 years ago

    right on! I loved the op/ed rabbi h
    2 points:
    Of course we must worry about chillul H but the essence is shlaimus and avodas H. Chessed, hatavah, being dovek/domeh to H. BEING REAL. As rebbe said Tzu zayn gut un frum. Gadlus haadam, shlaimos, emmes, healthy relationships with others, and oneself, useful occupation, ameilus betorah, dedication to ones wife & kids etc. (mussar is the path to these). these are the cornerstone of chinuch. If you have these Kiddush H and no chillul H is memaila.
    one of the biggest (and causative factors in most deviant behavior) issues we have is the systemic fakeness and judgementalism in the “Torah” world. We are so neurotic about how we appear and how “frum” we are. It all starts in my opinion with the idolizing and pedestalizing of gedolim and ends with ridiculous pressuring of our kids to be like them. we have lost the ability to be genuine ESPECIALLY ABOUT RELIGION or to be open at all about our issues if they want to help the issue the “gedolim” need to get normal. try on a grey hat or something. PREACH GUTSKAYT! JUST BE NICE! internet is not the problem I hope this asifa doesnt turn out to be a big Chillul H & cluelessness on display

    Sherree
    Sherree
    11 years ago

    I have called local yeshivas in the past to send bochurim to make up a minyan in a shiva house and I was told they can’t accommodate because it is a bitul Amanda torah. Go figure.

    Butterfly
    Butterfly
    11 years ago

    If you must have a computer at home for work and your kids MIGHT go on it, you can install software that you can plau back to tell you what sites were used etc. You can block all sites you do not want!! You just need the right software!!

    Mendy162
    Mendy162
    11 years ago

    >We stand now in…Sefirah, in a state of mourning for the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva who died tragically in a plague. The Gemorah in Yevamos (62b) states clearly that their Aveirah was that they did not accord each other the proper respect.< While I agree with the thesis of the article, one of the goals of Yiddishkeit must be emes. And the emes is that R. Akiva’s students did not die due to lack of respect. The Gemorah did what people used to do before modern science. It attributed natural phenomena to demons’ or gods’ punishing man. Polio/smallpox were plagues. Rabbanim used to tell victims that they must have done aveiros (sins). Along came Dr. Jonas Salk with his microscope and discovered the true cause–a virus–and polio was eradicated. Does anyone seriously believe that Dr. Salk cured sin? The 20th century saw over 100 million people killed by Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot, and genocide in Serbia, Rwanda, etc. Perhaps the most depraved century ever. And Hashem rewarded man for this depravity by doubling our life spans from 45 to 85? It’s this type of information that makes gedolim afraid of the internet. Yiddishkeit contains much superstition.

    11 years ago

    A true ASSIFA for the sake of HASHEM MUST INCLUDE EVERYBODY AS MOSHE REBBUNE SAID TO PARO ; MEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN WILL GO TO SERVE HASHEM’.

    Sherree
    Sherree
    11 years ago

    As far as social media is concerned lets just look at the theory and how it works. The roshei yeshivas decide twenty years ago that they would throw kids out for breaking the rules as an example in order to steer other students and scare them into conforming. They believed it would take only a few examples to get the point across and therefore only a few sacrifices. Please notice how wrong they were and how many actual korbonos have been slaughtered and sacrificed in the scheme of throwing out the “bad” children to protect the good. All they did was open the door wide by not dealing with issues and just allow an exodus to happen.

    Did they learn from this? No! Of course not, they never do anything wrong, it is the kids and the parents that are always at fault, so now they continue to ignore the internal problems and they look at the external areas where the olam turn to deal with issues they themselves refuse to deal with.

    You say kids should pick up the phone, or go visit? When should they go? Between the many hours of busy work the schools give them or the late hour they come home? Or should they chat at the very limited recess times they have. I shadowed a child many years ago in the third grade in a local yeshivish yeshiva. The teacher came back to the recess very disturbed. She said she just came from a meeting with the principal and she won’t be coming back next year. She said he is nuts. He wants to cancel English recess so he can give limudei kodesh an extra 20 minutes next year. She almost cried, it was the third grade, they were only 7 and 8 year olds. They needed the break.