The Internet Thing Again
No disrespect to this Rabbi, because he is Chashuv and Da'as Torah and all that.In Seminary today, one of our Rebbeim came in with a laptop to show us some NCSY parody (Which I found to be more a chillul Hashem than anything that comes close to funny---but I guess when you don't watch TV anything's funny.)
So, this one kid who doesn't know how to keep her mouth shut asked, "How did you get this?" (It's okay to ask if you're 5, but 19? Sit down, shut up, and watch the damn video.)
So he answered, "Some guys sent it to me."
"E-mail?" She asked.
He blushed, looked down, and responded, "Yeah."
So I quipped, "Don't worry it's not connected to the internet."
My point here, people, is that this whole assuring of the internet is such a load of garbage.
This Rabbi is not looking at porn. That's not the point--the Rabbanim who assured the internet are obviously not going to look at porn either. But if this Rabbi can use the internet, nobody can assur it. Because if you can trust him, then everyone will get on your back and ask, "Why can you trust him and not me?" and it starts in the beginning again about the whole thing.
Those who want to look at porn will look at it, internet or no internet. Those who do not want to will avoid it at all costs. I may not be the perfect example because I am a girl, but 8 years using the internet, never looked at porn. Voluntarily. (I once tried to type in a website--you don't know what one letter can do-- but I exited it before I saw anything) I just have no interest in porn. I know I can access it if I want to, but I don't want to, so i won't regardless of the internet.
Then all these magazines have all these articles about the internet, and then a page later, an ad with the website. It is time to realize that the internet is increasingly unavoidable, and deal with it that way, becuase obviously, the only people listening to the assur are the people who don't have computers at home. Same 3 people in the world who actually listened to wedding Takanos.
posted by Michelle @ 5:48 PM
8 Comments:
Did you have to insult the Rabbi by making a joke that it wasn't connected to the internet?! Shame on you. You should watch your mouth.
I dont understand this whole "lets assur the internet" thing. Assuring the internet doesnt help matters. Its just like the 'no TV' rule. I mean if people want to use the internet, they will even if it is assured. For example, the Rabbi in ure sem. And whats wrong with using it? If you use the internet in the correct way, than wats the problem? If someone wants to look at porn, there is plenty available without the Internet.
Also if you just forbid it, then it simply puts a stumbling block in people's way. I mean in todays world u cannot get by without it. I'm a uni student and if it werent for the net i'd be completely lost. Rather than forbidding it, it would be much better to allow it, and educate everyone about what should be accessed and what shouldnt be accessed.
Yonne
EN- First, you must understand the circumstances. This kid was obnoxious and out of line with what she said and how she said it. Unfortunately, he has grown accustomed to it. My comment was merely a defense, trying to take the heat off him a little. He liked it. He looked at me and smiled, kind of like, "Thanks," or so I think. I am big into Derech Eretz for Rabbanim, so anything I say is only intended to be in utmost repsect.
This just has to do with the whole genre of "gezeros" regarding things that are common sense, but people can't figure them out for themselves for some reason (yeridas hadoros?)
It involves ridiculous things like "don't waste your money on weddings", "don't get killed coming home from weddings", and now the "don't do averios".
I don't understand why people can't figure these things out for themselves. Like Michelle says, if you're going to do something bad, you're going to do it anyway, but if you're not, than what's up with the gezeros.
If they really can't and that’s why the rabbanim have to make the gezeros, I think we have a bigger problem than just these "issues" on our hands.
Not quite. I mean Gezeros theoretically have an important function. They are an expression of Rabbibical thought on certain issues. and that is important because we rely on the Rabbis for guidance.
Having said that, that doesnt mean that every gezara is wonderful. B4 Rabbis make the gezara, they should think of 2 things: a)Is it reasonable to expect the joe shmo to keep it? and b) What do we do to enforce the gezara? Both of these questions have to be addressed. In addition, it has to be accepted by all the Rabanim in the frum community. Otherwise, nothing changes and people lose respect for the whole process.
I do agree that a few tokanos may be common sense. But in this generation, the yetzer hora is very active and utilized correctly can help us to be more spiritual people.
Yonne
You are both right. When it comes to things like this, it gets tricky. IN a certain way, they have to say something, because otherwise others would get upset that they're not attacking the real problem. But then again, if they make the gezeira--that Rabbi should not have the internet-technically. But then when you come down to earth and realize that nowadays the internet is becoming more and more of a necessity, why should they miss out?
So basically, the only people that are going to not use the internet are the ones who did not originally.
So what to do?? IF they say something, we get upset,and we feel guilty that we're not listening to Rabbanim, on the other hand, if they do it themselves and tell others not to do it...(although I am sure there are plenty of Rabbanim who do NOT use the internet).
Also with the wedding Takanos--they only attend a wedding that doesn't comply "under extenuating circumstances,"--they're Chashuv Rabbanim, so it's not my place to say anything, but i am sure you can all read my mind.
I know you think you understand the males urge at looking at not appropriate things. Let me tell you, you certainly don't. No female has this yetzer hora in herself (accept if she ruined herself) and can't understand or even begin to understand it. Everyone I know that uses the internet told me they did have at least once that they looked at inappropriate sites. If you have any doubts discuss it with any men you know.
maybe their exhibition of extra-self control is their version of spirituality. similar to the tznius button idea.
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