Maronan verabonan the gedolei haTorah
vehaChassidus, have publicized their opinion, daas
Torah, issuing a stern warning about the dangers of
computers, computer video games, computer films and the
Internet.
In their letter, gedolei haTorah vehaChassidus warn
about the tremendous stumbling block posed by computer games.
Most of these games contain forbidden and non-educational
elements which, as attested to by principals of the
talmudei Torah, distance the children from Torah and
yiras Shomayim.
Gedolei Yisroel express their opinion, daas
Torah, that the computer should be used only for
parnossa, and under no circumstances for
entertainment. Concomitant to maronan verabonon's call
regarding the spiritual dangers in computers, gedolei
haTorah vehaChassidus, founded a special beis din
to deal with the problems of the penetration of computers
into Jewish homes, and to provide guidance and guidelines for
those who need it.
In recent years, computers have become prevalent even in
Torah homes. At first, the computer was a sophisticated
substitute for the old typewriter. It has developed to the
point that today there is no professional area which does not
require a computer. Torah scholars and the authors of
seforim require the computer for tsorchei
kedusha.
But sadly, this device also exudes poison and pollution and
it has been transformed, with advancing technology, into an
insidious one. By means of the computer, things such as
games, movies, Internet and various other harmful elements
which destroy the sanctity of the Jewish home, have
penetrated our households.
After in depth discussions, maronan verabonan decided
to establish a special beis din to mend the breach in
these areas. This beis din was appointed by the
gedolei hador over six months ago. However, at the
request of the beis din, publicizing its existence was
held up until various facts were clarified with professionals
in the area.
The special beis din is composed of rabbonim of the
highest stature, who are very experienced in clarifying such
issues according to daas Torah, and well qualified to
issue rulings. The members of this beis din are: HaRav
Nosson Gestetner, HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein, HaRav Shlomo
Zalman Ullman and HaRav Sariel Rosenberg.
The members of the special beis din have convened many
times to discuss various issues, among them the Internet and
the CD-ROMs which include films and games. The dayanim
recorded their conclusions in writing. The beis din
also discussed the issue of the students of the educational
institutions, and turned to the principals of the talmudei
Torah in a separate letter.
Principals of various institutions said that a drastic
decrease in the scholastic level of many children whose
parents let them use the computer, was evident. Directors of
institutions note that the computer is habit-forming and that
a child who plays with it, is liable to lose his desire for
Torah study. Much written and oral testimony from teachers
was presented to the rabbonim about outstanding children, who
suddenly began to regress to the point that they stopped
learning. In many cases the problem could be traced to the
computer.
In general, this pastime takes place without the knowledge of
parents, who think that their son is typing divrei
Torah or playing with the computer's graphics. At the
advice of the gedolei hador, the special beis
din decided to instruct the principals of the talmudei
Torah to demand that parents not allow their children to
use the computer. They must explain to their children, in a
pleasant manner, that the computer is a dangerous machine for
everyone, including adults, and that they cannot let them use
it, since children do not know the limits.
The administrations of 116 talmudei Torah from all
over the country and from all sects and circles, have joined
the effort to preserve the kedushas Yisroel of their
students, and to sever them from the deleterious effects of
the computer. As a first step, 30,000 letters were sent to
the parents of their students.
In Bnei Brak talmudei Torah principals sent letters to
parents a number of months ago signed by thirty-five
talmud Torah principals. In Jerusalem, Kiryat Sefer,
Beitar Illit, Beit Shemesh, Ashdod and other chareidi
communities in the north and south, a similar letter, signed
by more than 70 principals, was also sent.
The letter, which bears the heading, "The Soul of Your Son is
in Danger," says: ". . . A number of months ago an emergency
meeting was held in Jerusalem, at which HaRav Shmuel Yaakov
Bornstein, HaRav Menachem Mendel Fuchs and HaRav Yosef Chaim
Kopshitz spoke. At the end of the meeting, a number of
principals formed a committee, in order to continue to tackle
the problem."
Testimonies presented the beis din indicate that one
who uses Internet is exposed to the most corrupt kind of
culture, and jeopardizes his spiritual situation. They
therefore warn parents and educators not to use the computer,
especially not its games and films, for entertainment
purposes.
From the urgency of the warnings of maranan verabonan,
regarding the prohibition against using the Internet, we may
conclude that those who have no choice but to use a computer
must make certain that from a technical standpoint it will be
impossible to connect to Internet from their own personal
computers. Those who have Windows 95 can easily erase the
Inernet Explorer program. However, those with Windows 98
should seek the help of professionals. The secretary of the
special beis din has a bulletin explaining how to
disconnect a computer from the Internet.
The telephones of the secretary are: 03-5790953 or cell phone
-- 050-206035.
