An urgent meeting of Belze rabbonim shlita was held to address concerns surrounding the internet, cellular telephones and today’s electronic devices, Ladaat reports. The rabbonim met in the home of the Rebbe Shlita, and decisions were made and implementation will be immediate.
A new takanon (bylaws) is being put into place and it states clearly that anyone who must have internet must be connected by the NetTzach filtered internet only. No other system is acceptable.
According to the new bylaws, no one should have a computer unless absolutely necessary. Those who have one mustn’t have internet connectivity unless it is viewed as essential and those approved to be connected must use the new filtered system.
Forms are being sent to the homes of Belzer Chassidim by the Belze Badatz Machzikei Hadas and each chossid must sign committing to total adherence to the new regulations, explaining the rebbe shlita made this decision.
Ladaat explains that a member of the community explained how the rebbe saw the need for internet as part of the lives of some chassidim to enable them to make a living, but he is painfully aware of the dangers that hide on the internet as well, leading him to approve the filtered system available in Eretz Yisrael. While there are other companies providing filtered internet service, this is the only one Belzer chassidim may use.
Regarding cellular telephones, Belze has taken a step towards permitting phones that can receive and send SMS text messages, but one may only buy an old phone that permits this without a connection to the internet. Newer phones, those with internet connectivity are prohibited. One requiring a smart phone to earn a living may use a Blackberry connected via NetTzach.
The chassidim are basically signing away their privacy and are open to inspection regarding house phones and MP4s for example.
The vaad rabbonim explains it will be monitoring those who use the filtered internet to earn a parnasa to make sure there is total compliance with the rebbe’s bylaws. The vaad is actually setting up a team to assist those who feel they are addicted and need assistance to comply with the regulations.
Those unwilling to cooperate will face sanctions, and anyone not signing the takanon will not be permitted to send children to mosdos Belze, including talmidei torah, yeshivos and kollelim or become eligible for employment in the kehila.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
4 Responses
Time to go wireless via cell phone line. No wires coming into house, and no wireless in the neighborhood.
You forgot to list one of the most important rules-If you have unfiltered internet the mosad will not accept your donation.
#2, whats your problem? You take issue with their rules? Its their mosdos and they have every right to set forth the rules that will effect their tinoikois shel beis rabon. What do donations have to do with influences on their children?
I think the most important rule drafted here is that the schools could refuse kids based on the new criteria. Making selectia when accepting children to the Mosdos has become the most important thing now days in the school system. How sad! so many people have already been hurt by this new modern day game. its sad because so many people have had endless suffering as a result. Isn’t ironic that the big Asifa against the internet which was a great thing in and of itself, but why was there no mention of the pain of the selectia game in the schools?