BNEI BRAK (VINnews) — Last week, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe gave back smartphones to about one hundred Chassidim who had deposited their devices with him before Chanukah. The men gathered for a “device-return ritual”, which included a meeting with Rabbanim to discuss the dangers of technology.
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A new initiative was presented at that meeting, stating that people who require devices for business purposes should get special approval from a “Technology Vaad”. Rather than smartphones, they will receive tablet devices. The Rabbonim feel that since tablets cannot fit into pockets and are not as easy to transport, they pose less of a threat and are less prone to addiction.
Several weeks ago, on the Shabbos before Chanukah, the Vizhniitzer Rebbe asked people to surrender their smartphones, in an effort to show that people can function without devices.
The Rebbe said, “How can a Yid daven to Hashem before lighting the Menorah, asking for children and grandchildren who are immersed in Torah and mitzvos, with a device in their pocket?”
It takes great courage for someone to give up their smartphones and settle with something less convenient/addictive such as a laptop or tablet. I know of a handful of “business” people that have done so, and I admire them. !כל הכבוד
Someone trying to belittle a person doing so is just a coward because everyone knows deep down that it is virtually impossible to have a smartphone, and not be exposed to even something that remotely borders with schmutz. To put in in perspective, I dont think that their are many people out there that would feel comfortable if their kids would see, without exception, every single picture or news article that came on to their phones from day one… even with a decent filter installed.
The Carliner rebbe told his chasidim that if you need it for work, then OK, but otherwise, no go…..
Makes sense too…..
While I appreciate the desire to reduce the use of smartphones, it is time for us to recognize that it is too late to tell people to give it up. It’s time to admit that it’s not going to happen.
That being the case, the Rabonim need to discuss and advocate strategies of how to live with it and strategies to do so.
All this other stuff is a waste of time and energy.
How can he take money from someone with a smartphone?