bhol
רבנים קבעו: יש למצוא פיתרון לאינטרנט
בארה"ב הוקם 'איחוד הקהילות לטוהר המחנה' • המטרה: למצוא פיתרון לסכנות הרוחניות הטמונות בטכנולוגיה • בחודשים הקרובים - כנס הסברה ענק • ויש תמונות
בניו-ג'רזי שבארה"ב התקיים אתמול (ד') כינוס היסטורי, בו נטלו חלק רבנים ואדמו"רים מכל החוגים.
מטרת הכינוס היתה הקמת 'איחוד הקהילות לטוהר המחנה', שיפקח וימצא פיתרונות לסכנות שמציבה ההתפתחות הטכנולוגית בימינו - ובראשה האינטרנט הלא מפוקח.
עוד בנושא:
• שיתוף פעולה חסידי-ליטאי: כך נכשיר את האינטרנט
בראש הכינוס עמדו האדמו"ר מסקולען והגאון רבי מתתיהו סלומון, משגיח ישיבת לייקווד, והשתתפו בו ונשאו דברים, בין היתר, האדמו"ר מנובמינסק, הגאון רבי שמואל קמינצקי ראש ישיבת פילדלפיה, הגאון רבי משה גרין ראש ישיבת מונסי, הגאון רבי אליהו ברודני ועוד.
מטרת הכינוס היתה הקמת 'איחוד הקהילות לטוהר המחנה', שיפקח וימצא פיתרונות לסכנות שמציבה ההתפתחות הטכנולוגית בימינו - ובראשה האינטרנט הלא מפוקח.
עוד בנושא:
• שיתוף פעולה חסידי-ליטאי: כך נכשיר את האינטרנט
בראש הכינוס עמדו האדמו"ר מסקולען והגאון רבי מתתיהו סלומון, משגיח ישיבת לייקווד, והשתתפו בו ונשאו דברים, בין היתר, האדמו"ר מנובמינסק, הגאון רבי שמואל קמינצקי ראש ישיבת פילדלפיה, הגאון רבי משה גרין ראש ישיבת מונסי, הגאון רבי אליהו ברודני ועוד.
This problem will not be resolved until the Rabbonim and Gedolim shlita put their weight behind an attempt to be as accommodating as possible with these new technologies. I wouldn't have said it so flat out years ago, but it has been 15 years and the Chareidi use of the internet has only increased. The Tzibbur is simply unable to abide by a policy were internet is only b'dieved, it is too useful and becoming to difficult to opporate without it even if one doesn't use it directly for their employment.
ReplyDeleteIf the Rabbonim were to embrace an approach where technology is used to make the technology conform to US, it would be much more successful.
They should put their weight behind a filter, such as the one by koshernet, though one that was free ware would really be necessary (sponsers?).
A handfull of mamash treif stuff should be proscribed period. There needs to be a fairly responsive staff (of ladies) who can be alerted to sites which have been flagged by users who have found gaps. A toolbar button would do the trick.
Greatly (and maybe not so greatly) problematic stuff can be blocked with the possibility of getting a heter when there is a toeles. Others may have yellow flags noting there may be reason to avoid the site and/or delayed access for certain categories.
Clearly business sites can be allowed, perhaps requiring an opt in for images on the tool bar. (Image recognition technology is advancing in a way that I suspect filters will be able to utilize such features, hopefully sooner rather than latter.)
The institutions affiliated with the sponsoring Gedolim should have Websites with quality Torah shiurim and articles, the bulk of which can only be accessed if the filter is installed (and can be easily downloaded from the website if you don't have it).
Select sites which are purely for recreational/entertainment should be picked and limited access given (restricted to certain times, time limits for individual profiles). Perhaps the time can be allocated through a reward system when one has demonstrated active learning of Torah.
This approach can be adapted to other technologies. While there will always be cynics and naysayers who criticize any sort of filter, I think that a more technology-positive approach will get more compliance among Chareidim and if it retains enough flexibility will have an impact on non-Chareidi orthodoxy.
Perhaps one day I'll formulate the idea more fully. Perhaps others more familiar with the technology or hashkafic issues can give input.
With the help of my chavrusa, "google translate":
ReplyDeleteIn recent months Skolan Hasidic leaders worked on a historic gathering organization - headed by Admor M'Skolan and Mashgiach HaGaon Rav M. Salomon - during which the rabbis from all ultra-Orthodox circles will discuss effects of the Internet on the haredi public in America.
The conference, which will be held today (Wednesday) at 15:00 (PST) at Newark, New Jersey, would reach hundreds of rabbis, judges, community leaders and Poskim.
Invitations which were sent to hundreds of rabbis wrote that the conference will address the spiritual the dangers of inherent in mobile devices and the dangers of the Internet.
The rabbis at the conference are expected to formulate an outline would provide a solution to people who need the Internet for their work and for other purposes
One of the initiators of the conference say to B'Chadrei Haredim: "at the conference will decide Hasidim and Lithuanian [authorities] permission is to be given officially for Internet use, and allow anyone who needs Electronic tools to use them in a kosher and secure way. At the conference a limited operative committee will be established which follow the dissemination of rules and establishment.
This conference is historic, because until now all the Chasidic or Haredi movements acted separately. Some allowed and others prohibited. Policies will be formulated at the conference will be accordign to all opinions. Today in modern times came Hasidic and religious scholars to understand fully that to prohibit the Internet - this is a decree that the public is not able to stand for so it was decided to convene together the religious authorities and to formulate regulations"
While I'm sure that many will not be pleased (perhaps my self at points) it sounds like the attitude is on the right track (IMO).
In New Jersey USA yesterday (Wednesday) a historic gathering was held, which rabbis from all circles participated in.
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of this meeting was the establishment of 'the United Congregations for the Purity of the camp, to monitor and find solutions to the dangers posed by contemporary technological development headed by non-supervised Internet.
Leading the conference were Rebbe M'Skolan and Rabbi Matityahu Solomon, Mashgiach of the Lakewood Yeshiva, and was attended and addressed, among others, Rebbe M'Novminsk, Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, Rosh Yeshiva of Philadelphia, Rabbi Moshe Green, Rosh Yeshiva of Monsey, Rabbi Eliyahu Rodney and more .
The conference decided to hold a global informational conference, in a few months, with thousands of participants from Orthodox communities
http://www.bhol.co.il/article.aspx?id=32436&cat=14&scat=116
The Internet is here to stay because we are living in the "Information Age" where everything is driven by computers, computer languages and programs and it does almost only good in terms of services, parnosah and creation of wealth.
ReplyDeleteThe only real "solution" would be to stop the inflow of all electricity into a house or yeshiva and to ban, confiscate and destroy all portable devices, akin to a macabre "Ludite" "book burning" ritual.
"Banning" the web is like advocating compulsory iron chastity belts for all girls until they get married or for married women when not with their husbands. It is about as extreme as advocating lobotomies or castrations to solve straying sexual impulses, something that may stop a few "addicts" but can never be used as an "antidote" to keep an entire population captive to the decrees of a couple of rabbis who are seen as out of touch with this new world by the younger folks they are trying to reach.
It is not like TV or radio or books, newspapers and magazines that can be simply "blocked or locked out" since everything around us is connected to the web and computer system. Every cell phone, business, hospital, government, all offices including all yeshivas and Chasidic courts use computer networks and are connected to the web.
Indeed, in some ways, being plugged into the Internet is like living side by side with a "red light district" or a corner store that sells porn that cannot be avoided but one requires discipline and vigilance to remain uncorrupted. Young children should not be given access to the web and it should be held off from all children as long as possible but it is futile to "ban" the Internet as it makes the "banners" look out of touch and out of reality.
Sure, yeshivas, Bais Yaakovs and parents should speak out and give guidance as they do with ALL factors that could harm morality, but in the end, each individual will be left to their self-control and convictions to overcome this modern day test of the generation.
Looks like the Robert Treat Hotel in Newqrk - I wonder what the sheet behind the speakers was covering?
ReplyDeleteWas there any statement after the conference?
KT
Joel Rich
Life in the 21st Century can not survive or function withOUT Internet Access. (just like cars were an outgrowth of the horse/buggy era)
ReplyDeleteWe are an am Kodesh and Am Chocham, let the rabbanim figure out how this can work for the kehilla. No more bans, nos,, or just cherems.
As someone who works extensively with many clients who have been exploring the wrong places on the internet, I reserve the right for a few (I believe) very responsible comments.
ReplyDelete1. While the internet has become a location for considerable sin to occur, it is by nearly no means the cause. Legislating to ban it was not only ineffective, but misguided. The first approach did not need to be the internet, but the users. The "lev ponuy min hachochmoh", the idle mind is prone to violation of much. The ease of internet surfing, with the major effort mousing and clicking, is an easy lure, and it will capture those who are weak in their avodas Hashem. Today's generation has mastered the rendering of true avodas Hashem mundane, often a chore. We have lost the ability to raise a generation of children who are preoccupied with wanting to fulfill ratzon Hashem. There is much to document on the need for major tikkun on this, by parenting, by chinuch, by conduct of the community. Separate posting at another time.
2. The most important element of internet control is monitoring. Any computer that has internet access MUST have a means by which the activity is viewed, reviewed, or reported to an outsider. Much of the improper activity on the internet is done in the cloud of secrecy and/or anonymity. Removing this enabling mechanism accomplishes much. The human motive to protect oneself from embarrassment is one of the more intense ones. If internet use had the scrutiny that befits something that should not be secret, it is probably kosher. The role for filters is to prevent the inadvertent or accidental exposure, through mistakes or popups. Basing an internet shmira on filters is irresponsible since those who are computer literate can easily circumvent them.
3. We know that no one, yes, no one, is reliable to be their own shomer. All monitoring MUST involve an outsider. I strongly believe, based on experience, that this should NOT be a family member. It should sound repetitious, but "asei lecho Rav" does not mean we patronize a godol to determine what we should name our children, or to identify whom we ask halacha shailos. It means having a relationship with a rav who serves as our guide and advisor in Avodas Hashem, from whom we hold NO secrets. We must personify this G-dly task (Hashem knows all), and this includes our deepest and darkest secrets. Being called Rabbi in the phone book is not the qualifier for this role.
Professional in Internet Addictions said...
ReplyDeleteAs someone who works extensively with many clients who have been exploring the wrong places on the internet, I reserve the right for a few (I believe) very responsible comments.
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You provided a very cogent discussion of the issue. Would you be interested in writing a guest post on the subject.