The Mizrach
All of the chareidi communities throughout Israel are preparing for the upcoming Parshas Zochor which Torah leaders have declared to be a "Shabbos Chizuk" against the threat of technology. During its course, rabbonim of communities and spiritual leaders of our ranks will rouse the public to be vigilant against the evil inroads of technology which continue to develop in their many forms.
It will be remembered that a delegation on behalf of the rabbonim of "The Committee to Fortify the Walls of Jewry" met in the home of the Rosh Yeshiva who congratulated and bolstered them for their initiative to declare Shabbos Zochor, the time of remembering [the mitzvah of] erasing the memory of Amolek, whereby all rabbonim of the many communities were directed to arouse the public to the dangers of technology, saying that "this is a very beneficial thing and certainly advisable and commendable. There is no question about it."
He continued, saying, "The danger of Internet is well known. It destroys families and is appalling and dreadful. Whoever comes to be purified is assisted thereby. Any arousal you can affect is accompanied with heavenly assistance to succeed further."
HaRav Dov Lando delivered a short and succinct message. "This gathering is very vital, as is everything said here. The situation is critical and disastrous. With Hashem's help, we must do everything in our power and pray for success to uproot this terrible, horrific evil, may it be rapidly be eradicated, as the Rosh Yeshiva will now elucidate."
HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch opened his words by asking permission of the Rosh Yeshiva and the esteemed participants, saying, "All of these things are already well known, but as is written in Mesillas Yeshorim, they must be repeated."
He further added, "There are times when a person, himself, is unaware of what is before him and may believe that all is duly protected. He does not know that his son can very easily change this and reach the most disastrous situation in the world. If a person is not conscious that such a thing can happen and he does not consult an expert, it is very bad. Such a situation requires much awakening.
"And another thing: there are people who, after all, rely on themselves and think that they can be lenient since they know their limits. First of all, it is a big mistake to be so self-assured. For even if he is reliable, it may constitute a terrible example to others who are not so strong and will stumble. In such a case, it is the first man who is responsible for the other one's downfall. One must be aware that his is accountable for the [far-reaching] results of his actions, which can be very drastic indeed.
"The rabbonim must say that no one should think that he is immune. Everyone has moments of spiritual weakness. Rav Chaim of Volozhin says that there are times when a person has spiritual arousal but also times of spiritual weakness, and during those periods, if he is tempted to view something small on the Internet, he will stumble. May Hashem help you to succeed in rousing the public to avoid such missteps."
HaRav Zev Cohen said, "Two dangers threaten a person. Of 'following his heart and his eyes.' Today's tests are different from those of previous generations, where if one stumbled, he fell down many steps. The gap between a ben Torah or a Torah-observant Jew and the temptations outside was wide. Today there is no such great gap. Pressing just one key can expose one to the worst imaginable things. Everyone should be aware of the responsibility to know that if his son or daughter falters in these things, it is a blemish worse than any other sin.
"Experience teaches that even if one buys a computer for work's sake only, the danger lurks very close by. In order to remove the stumbling block, a person must resolve that this is the only use, and that he operates it in a secluded place where no one sees. If no one is aware of its existence, it will not arouse [any tempting] thoughts.
"In addition, experience shows that whoever relies on the heter of use for the sake of livelihood, must resolve that it will not be used for any other purpose whatsoever. It is exceedingly tempting. But it is also a time-saver. Still, he must be firm in this resolution.
"In addition, whoever relies on the heter of use only for the sake of parnossa, should resolve that he must periodically report to his rav or to a superior that he has kept his resolution, for this will help him to persevere."
