A Vort on Parshas Shelach

Unfortunately, this only reached my eyes after Shabbos, but it's still worth posting now.
(Quoted by R' Yissocher Frand)

An interesting observation from Rav Elya Meir Bloch (Telsher Rosh Yeshiva, one of the pioneers of Torah in the post war era) on the pasuk [Bamidbar 13:18] "the dwellers therein - are they strong or weak?"

Rashi says the way the spies were supposed to determine whether the inhabitants of the land were strong or weak was by the type of cities they inhabited. Dwelling in unwalled cities indicated that they were strong, since they relied on their strength, while living in fortified cities was a signed of weakness.

Our gut reaction would be just the opposite. Our first thought would be that if they live in fortified cities they would be hard to conquer. Fortresses, we think, are signs of a mighty nation. On the other hand, one would think that a nation that lives in a bunch of tents would be defenseless, and easy to conquer. It should be a pushover!

No. Appearances are deceiving. If they need to fortify themselves from the outside, it is a sign that internally they are weak. On the other hand, if they have the confidence to live openly, this is a sign that internally they are strong.

Rav Elya Meir said there exits an old conflict as to whether it is better to 'insulate' or to 'isolate'. In other words, should a person surround himself with walls to spiritually protect himself from the corrupting influences of the outside world, or should he live openly and have contact with one and all as a means of retaining spiritual vitality?

Rav Elya Meir writes that people who insulate themselves by building strong fortresses are not necessarily demonstrating signs of strength. As Rashi points out, these fortresses may in fact be signs of weakness. People who are internally strong have no need for such walls. On the other hand, people who live openly and intermingle with the rest of society must have an internal strength that allows them to preserve their integrity without resorting to artificial barriers that separate themselves from the allure of surrounding influences.

Postermania II

Technological Advance - In Our Hands

This week's poster contains a thought from R' Abba Chiya Tauber:

(Paraphrased - if you have any questions you can call (866)688-3759)

"The reason there are more and more destructive technological advances is that we have not faught hard enough against the previous ones.
Even if it is hopeless, if we wage war on each new advance, the baal dovor will not be given permission to allow technology to advance more."

Ambush

A fine American-style yeshiva in Flatbush has a lounge for Rebbeim. For the use of the Rebbeim and teachers there is a computer placed there with Internet access. A G-d fearing, earnest, hard working Rebbe goes on-line to check his finances during break. Other Rebbeim happen to be present.
Upon opening the browser he is confronted by the default home page - MSN, with a prominent and prost entertainment feature, including provocative pictures. He sets about doing a search, because he's never done this before. Either due to his choice of search engine, or due to a typo, he is confronted by a pop-up ad of an entertainer more unclothed than clothed.

He stands up and walks away from the computer, never to return, and becomes a fierce opponent of internet.

This is a true story, but what is wrong with this picture?

1. Every yeshiva should have filtering.
2. Even if the yeshiva refuses to have filtering, the home page can and should be changed to an appropriate one (Yated, perhaps)
3. Explorer and Firefox contain a pop-up blocker which must be activated

Why wasn't all of this, or at least the last two, done? Because we don't schecht and salt chazer.

Once the 'net became chazer, the most minimal precautions are not taken, and not even talked about. And the latter two are simple indeed.

Soon the whole country will be connected wirelessly. Without educating our children, not only Rebbeim in a Yeshiva will fall victim.

Everyone with a laptop will, too.

Postermania I

Rabbi Yitzchok Elazar Moskowitz, Shatzer Rebbe of Monsey, reported on poster to have said in a Chol Hamoed Pesach Drusha - Posted 6/17/05 in BP:

"Internet is worse than chilul shabbos!
And I take full responsibility for the results of that statement!"

Wages of Sin or Wages of Freedom?

Back in January I posted a piece on the various anti-religious blogs founded by Chassidic or Chareidi Jews.

Amazingly, about five of these popular shkutzim blogs have recently closed their doors officially! One even said that he wants to learn more and removed all of his posts!

Wonder why?

Here are my two cents: (based partially on e-mail conversations with two bloggers)

At a certain point, an intellectually honest person arrives at the conclusion that no matter how many inconsistencies he sees in yiddishkeit or our community, it is, (as Winston Churchill said about democracy) 'the worst system except for any other'.

Moreover, writing about one's doubts, and putting them out there, is an intellectually healthy way to air them and eventually see reality with more clarity. As I said then: "all (doubts) are best confronted in the open". And so it was.

So my compliments to the owners of the shuttered blogs, and my hope that they one day use their talent and return to the blogosphere in a positive manner.

Critics of blogging: please take note!

Footnote: Many of the other shkutzim are slowing their posting, too.

Check What You Were Doing on 9/11/01, Mr. Senator

(NYT)WASHINGTON, June 5 (AP) - A leading Senate Democrat said Sunday that the United States needed to move toward shutting down the military detention center at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. "This has become the greatest propaganda tool that exists for recruiting of terrorists around the world," said the senator, Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, . . .

While I haven't commented on American politics in the past, all good things come to an end.
Senator Biden, didn't the Gitmo facility follow the recruiting of terrorists, rather than vice versa?

Spare us, Senator!