HaRav Chaim Feinstein
It has already been publicized regarding the gaping abyss opened at the feet of those who use the terrible tools of technological advancement of all kinds. Some mistakenly believe that there is a permissive loophole for those who use Internet for their livelihood etc. but they disregard the fact that even at a cursory glance, there is no guarantee that they will not be badly affected. It takes only one weak moment for one to succumb to Satan's net and be swept away in gushing waters to a place of almost no return.
Even for the sake of mitzvah purposes such as publishing Torah novella, using unscreened computers is altogether forbidden.
There is no difference whatsoever between computers which are fully exposed or only partially screened.
Chazal say that Dovid Hamelech prayed that the yetzer hora not glimpse at him. My sainted father used to tell that he had heard from the Mashgiach, HaRav Yeruchom, that even if the yetzer hora merely took a quick look without even making any kind of connection, it was already harmful. It is imperative that no association whatsoever take place with evil, even the slightest one, for if the yetzer hora merely glances at him, he is already in grave danger.
Internet Stories from the Battlefront
Wage Increments
She could not have dreamed of such an inviting offer. She stood there, excited, trying to absorb the implications. A simple calculation told her that when she received the promotion from a simple secretary to director of the public relations office, her salary which jump up by another six thousand shekel, not bad at all, considering the needs of a family of eleven.
"All that is required," her CEO explained, "is a quick course and a transfer from your computer to the one in the administration booth."
"Will I be able to install the screening I have now in my new place?"
"That is a problem because sometimes the computer will have to be used by our accountant who is not religious, and we don't want to stifle or limit him in his usage so that we will have to suffice with the minimal screening provided by the company."
"A quality screening can be installed to amply provide whatever access an accountant needs."
"But he won't like that and he will refuse to work like that."
"I don't want to work in such a way, either."
"Well then, you'll just have to pass up an administrative job. Don't you think it's a pity?"
"It is surely very difficult for me to give up this offer and its added pay, but neither do I want to forfeit a different kind of reward which is much more critical to me."
A World that is Altogether Good
One of the Internet screening programs has a forum offering assistance to one who uses it on a regular basis. One of the users who frequently is on call to provide this service would really provide excellent advice to all those who sought it. He possessed an uncanny gift of remembering a wealth of facts and of dredging them up to each one who sought his help, combined with a genuine desire to help. The results were impressive and caused him a great measure of satisfaction, prodding him to improve his methods.
One day, he realized that his usage of Internet was not good for himself. His help to others was still excellent but his general usage itself, despite its quality screening, took up too much of his time and the possibility of avoiding incidental damages was low.
The thought of severing himself altogether seemed completely impractical. One who is already `inside' knows that those on the outside world cannot comprehend this, while one who is there, knows exactly what this means. One can understand the underlying principle but not feel the extent of the difficulty - of severing oneself from a part of his life, especially if he is a central figure in this world.
But he did it.
He left a message that he was signing off from this particular program.
One of the administrators of the screening service remarked, "There goes another person who went on to a world that is altogether good, leaving us here behind. Pray for us from where you are; pray that we too merit being liberated and living life in its true sense."
