Year 2011! Chassidic Rabbis ban phones, computers, internet! Chassidim will now never know of all the abuse and corruption in their communites!

A special Vaad Ruchniyos has been established in the Sanzer Chassidic community in Eretz Yisrael, in Kiryat Sanz in Netanya. This vaad made make critical decisions pertaining to the use of computers and technological wonders. The members of this vaad were appointed by the Rebbe Shlita and they decided what electronic gadgetry and technological advances will be deemed acceptable.The regulations will be sent to each and every home, along with a form that every chossid must sign, committing to adhere to the regulations. The forms signed by parents will be returned to the mosdos of the chassidus.Some excerpts from the new Rules and Regulations:

COMPUTERS

One not requiring a computer for earning a living may not have one in one’s home.

A computer must be locked to prevent children from using it
No computer games
Regarding laptops, no Internet connectivity and this will be done by technicians hired by the vaad to ensure this feature is disabled. The technician will then have to submit a signed form attesting to this.
A computer may not be used by children under any circumstances.

Suggestion: One who requires a computer for work, or to write chidushei Torah should try to leave it elsewhere, other than at home.

Anyone with a computer for reasons other than mentioned, the children will be banned from mosdos chinuch.

No information may be used from the Internet, even towards educating the children. To eliminate the need for seminary students to maintain a computer at home, specified computer access hours will be set in school for those females learning a profession. This computer room will be in the mosdos, not at home.

INTERNET – EMAIL

The use of the Internet and/or email is prohibited, even towards earning a living. Those who absolutely require access must apply to receive a special dispensation in writing from the members of the vaad. The vaad members include HaRav HaGaon Mordechai Barnett, HaRav HaGaon Yitzchak Shimon and HaRav HaGaon Mordechai Levinstein.

Efforts will be made to limit access to email but in cases deemed absolutely necessary, access to approved websites will be granted. This will be done in cooperation with the vaad, principals and directors of mosdos. The latter will be responsible that the computers in the mosdos have only the approved limited access.

MOBILE PHONES

The use of any non-kosher phones, including Blackberry® and iPhone® or phones similar in abilities is prohibited with the exception of those who receive a written ruling from the vaad stating otherwise.

Even those with kosher phones, it goes without saying that their use must not be in public, using the example of one permitted to eat on Yom Kippur, must do so in private. Ditto for the mobile phones – anyone in violation of these rules will lose their “license” to have the phone.

VIDEOS – MOVIES

Gedolei Yisrael have already ruled and viewing movies, even those labeled “chareidi”, “educational” or “censored” is prohibited. Viewing family movies is permitted b’dieved, only “time to time” such as during bein hazmanim and a parent must be present to supervise.

DVDs are prohibited under any and all circumstances.
PLAYERS (MP4)

Gedolei Yisrael have already ruled and they have prohibited MP4 players.

Parents are strongly advised to giving much thought to permitting the use of a MP3 despite the fact that on the surface, they are innocent. Without constant supervision, one cannot imagine what content may be placed on them and to where they may lead. Therefore it is incumbent upon parents to remain vigilant and cautious regarding the use of MP3s for children.

If parents permit it, they are obligated to check units from time-to-time to validate the content. It is also advised to be cautious and permit authorized technicians to check the units from time-to-time.

An MP3 must be disabled that it can no longer serve as a radio as well.

DISK ON KEY

The children may not have such a device. Seminary students who require one for their studies must receive special permission from the school’s principal and director.

NEWSPAPERS

Baruch Hashem in our community there is no need to warn regarding the threat of secular newspapers. There is a need however to warn of the new and growing trend, the spreading of news by various means, radio, telephone lines (cellular and regular), flyers, and other free handouts circulating in the frum community.

In addition to the bitul zman aspect and the waste of money, these items are usually void of worthwhile content and simply not suited for our tzibur, with many introducing foreign hashkofos which are not acceptable to our way of life.

Therefore, each home must set its guidelines as to what may be brought home regarding newspapers, circulars, flyers, pictures and the like. One may not listen to the radio and all appliances capable of serving as a radio must have this component disabled. One must not listen to the news, including the chareidi news delivered by phone.

HOME PHONES

We are all aware that today, these phones may serve as vehicles towards introducing unwanted content into our lives. As such, the vaad has reached agreement with Bezeq to enable us to offer a “clean line”, blocking access to dubious numbers.

Every home must do this for every phone line to prevent the phone serving as a michshol.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)