Jerusalem – ‘Gur’ And Other Hasidic Sects Might Follow ‘Belz’ Allowing Limited Permission To Surf Net

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    Jerusalem – At the beginning of July, Belz, the second-largest Hasidic sect in Israel after the Gur Hasidim, openly declared it was connected to the Internet. The announcements the sect distributed at synagogues in its centers in Bnei Brak and Jerusalem were, in effect, an exhortation to members who need the Internet for purposes of earning a living to use the “kosher” Internet. The message was also received by the greater ultra-Orthodox world to “make the vermin kosher” on the Web – in a supervised way, of course. Thus Belz fomented a revolution, whose outcome is not yet clear.

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    Still, the Belz solution is indicative of a sensible view of reality. The Gur sect, for example, has acted in almost the opposite way and has sent representatives into adherents’ homes to get them to sign agreements not to use the Internet. In the wake of Belz, however, Gur is looking into the possibility of connecting to Rimon.

    There is also the policy adopted by the ultra-Orthodox community in London, which has forbidden the use of Internet in the home: The elders of the community have set up a kosher Internet cafe in the city, for the purpose of helping people to earn a living.

    “We hereby appeal to all the inhabitants of our city,” is the message to members. “Have mercy on your souls and on the souls of your children and our coming generations. Happy is the man who has the possibility of not bringing the Internet into his home or his office, and it shall be well for him and his generations, and he will be able to arrange the things that he needs on the Internet there.”

    Thus far several hundred households in the local Belz community have connected to Rimon. At the company, they say that the suffix on the e-mail address reveals who is connected and this will operate like a kosher cellular phone. Currently, every ultra-Orthodox cell-phone user has a kosher number because otherwise eyebrows would be raised, but deep in his pocket he may keep another phone. At Rimon they do not believe that ultra-Orthodox users will be willing to pay double for two Internet connections, and they will thus need the unique address of the company’s surfers.

    However, it must be noted that the Belz surfing policy relies on trust. It is subject to the Hasid’s judgment and to the degree of his piety and obedience. He can change the connection whenever he wants to and connect to a more open package – and the rebbe will never know


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    7 Comments
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    A Yid and PROUD
    A Yid and PROUD
    15 years ago

    Finally the Rabonim are being realistic. And NO COMMENTS?

    Where are all the chachomim who know better than the rabbonim?

    Informed Consent
    Informed Consent
    15 years ago

    Finally? The Rabonim are being realistic?

    Do you know on how many levels your statement is misguided?

    Firstly, it connotes that Rabonim, until now have been unrealistic. Secondly, it implies, your differing humble opinion was always realistic and that you have more insight than they. Thirdly it seems you have forgotten it is only the leaders of generations who receive the divine knowledge of proper guidance – in our merit. This is not some mystical wind – just a reality. The indians believe their forbearers, why don’t you trust ours?

    So in summation, your emunas chachomim is flawed, lacking or misunderstood. Your self reliance borders on haughtiness, and your simple statement reveals your fundamental uninformed nature.

    As per the actual issue. My Rav, and everyone should have their own, has always decried the nature of the internet. He submits, that as with all of nature, it can be destructive when left unchecked. One may choose to allow it in his home, but should do so only with the proper safeguards. A wife, who guards him from sin, with the computer should be kept in an open area, or the ability for a third party to monitor all browser traffic.

    My request from you. A Yid and PROUD, try discussing issues which apply to us all without constantly finding blame with the very and only people who have our very best long and short term interests in mind.

    Shvitzer
    Shvitzer
    15 years ago

    Kudos to Belz.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Every single pertze Belz has to be the first to legitimize. I am divorced and I can mostly thank Kosher internet for it.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    As the Internet becomes more and more necessary for business, it is a hardship for people not to use it. Try asking a government agency for material, and you will see how hard it is to get it without going to their website. I applaud those in the Belz who are trying to find a way to use the Interet in a “kosher” way.

    lakewood yid mac
    lakewood yid mac
    15 years ago

    Well, I’m married and I have the non-hechshered kosher internet to thank ( I don!

    There’s little chance I would have met my wife otherwise.

    The internet is just like the street, you have choices. You can do a search for junk and pornography or you can look for rare kabbalistic and halachic seforim on one of the many websites with FULL scanned books.

    You can find your bashert, or you can hook up with some slut.

    Same thing in the real world. The only difference is that you get to the goal much quicker.

    The only way to live is to be truly pure hearted and to pursue only good things. And don’t make excuses when your online and get spam emails with pornography links, or passing the XXX store on Route 9 in your car. Don’t let your evil inclinations ruin your life.

    Whether you’re online or in the car, the test is exactly the same. But, maybe we fuel the fire by assuring everything, it’s only increasing the Taava!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    lakewood yid mac:

    While you speak the truth for many adults, many children and young bachurim are too immature to make that decision by themselves. Would you leave a loaded gun in the house with young kids around? How about matches and flammable liquids?

    These safeguards are made for the young and the week of heart, although too many of us adults fall into this category at times.

    The only way to keep us holy is to keep it far away. And yes, while on the street you may find similar stuff, you have to admit when your fingers do the walking, it is far easier to get lost!