Hundreds of school principles from throughout Eretz Yisroel came together on Sunday for a major gathering to protect the Torah-true education system against the blight of Internet use and so-called chareidi websites.
HaRav Eliashiv shlita addressed the educators, saying "principals in particular — because on their shoulders they carry the burden of responsibility for the coming generations — have an obligation to act within the schools to do the necessary `repair work' and stop the breaches. Certainly students from homes tainted by this affliction should not be accepted."
According to HaRav Wosner shlita, "The Internet dug its claws into us, and unfortunately is despoiling the mission of our holy people, as it says, `And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'"
"Those who learn and toil in Torah are the ones who can make the decision," said HaRav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, "and they have determined that the Internet is a terrible force of destruction that has claimed many victims who have fallen into the depths because of it."
HaRav Nissim Karelitz said, "This applies to every individual. Each of us must look into the matter and make changes to rectify whatever needs to be addressed."
"If one wants siyata deShmaya one needs to realize the necessity to wage battle against destructive forces, `and he who seeks to purify himself, receives [Heavenly] assistance.'"
Said HaRav Moshe Tzedaka, "How can a ben Torah look at this just once, for it is a tremendous decline beyond compare. For this, Heaven won't forgive!"
Also on hand at the gathering were HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, the Admor of Gur, the Admor of Tzanz and the Admor of Boyan, while the Admors of Belz and Nadvorna sent letters of support.
Remarks of the Rosh Yeshiva HaRav A.Y.L. Shteinman shlita
The gemora says that the pain of the Soton (who inflicted the suffering on Iyov) was worse than that of Iyov himself. But how can that be?"
HaKodosh Boruch Hu told the Soton he could torment Iyov, but he must not kill him. `Smash the barrel but save the wine...' And that's very hard.
Hard for HaKodosh Boruch Hu? HaKodosh Boruch Hu sometimes acts according to the laws of nature.
We, too, have experienced all sorts of tribulations over the years. We've been through everything.
But now, along comes something that if we could, we would ban entirely, and then the situation would be fine. But since there are those who need to use it, and it cannot be banned entirely, it creates an undesirable situation. `Smash the barrel but save the wine.'
Therefore we must take all sorts of steps to strengthen ourselves, to ensure we are not susceptible to a breach. It's very serious. On one hand it's a bad as can be. On the other hand, it cannot be banned entirely, since there are those who really need it. May HaKodosh Boruch Hu help us, just as a HaKodosh Boruch Hu has saved us until now, may he save us so that no evil befalls us, chas vesholom...
Whoever doesn't need it shouldn't [get connected], for this is the worst thing there is. One can come unto all of the aveiros in the world!
May HaKodosh Boruch Hu protect us from any evil befalling us. Each of us must guard himself and his family members. Not just his wife and children, but himself as well, so that he is not exposed to any evil. And in the merit of concerted efforts to distance himself [from the pitfalls of improper Internet use], may HaKodosh Boruch Hu help him.
