Internet: The biggest source of brocha in the last generations.

This may come as a shock to you children, but people got along fine before the internet. People bought and sold goods. They followed the news. THey invested. THey entertained themselves. They even knew how to communicate in writing and by talking to each other.

If you want to discuss an invention that really improved life, consider antibiotics, anesthetics for surgery, indoor plumbing (toilets), and refrigeration.

Come on. We need to discuss this with some maturity. Certainly there are nisyonos with the internet. That is undeniable. And there are ways to cope with them. If we spent our time banning everything just because there are challenges, we would need to put a moratorium on life. Existing without nisyonos is the mission of mankind, and that is the intent of HKB”H in His creation. And He placed us here to survive in that environment. And this environment has undergone massive changes over time, which is attested to throughout Torah. Today’s challenge in the use of technology and its role in overtaking so much of today’s life.

So, yes, HKB”H invented the internet, not different from the inventions that succeeded throughout the thousands of years since Bri’as Haolam. HKB”H doesn;t make bad things. He makes things which present us with the task of overcoming resistance to follow His will, perform mitzvos, and become closer.

All these discussions about the external challenges and nisyonos seem to omit the most important element. When we are small, the smaller challenges overwhelm us, and our risk of falling prey is greater. When we function at a higher madraigoh, these nisyonos pose much less risk. Now, let’s address the least popular thought. How do we score in the eyes of Hashem as successful Ovdei Hashem? Don’t bore me with descriptions of anything external, Clothing do not matter, nor do chumros. Even the intense experiences of a great drosho, mussar schmooze, or a terrific tefiloh. Nor do the huge amounts of tzedokoh, or the roles as guest of honor at fundraising dinners for the most worthy causes. All mitzvos count, but the true tzidkus is about our closeness to Hashem, and how much emphasis we place, in our heart of hearts, on our mission to connect to Him and emulate His midos. This element is blind to the score we would get on a bechinah in Gemora. It is blind to the dollar figures given to tzedokoh. It is blind to the extent of chumros we follow with regards to kashrus, tznius, shiurim, cholov Yisroel, etc. It doesn’t rate us on our exterior appearance (that’s correct, the white shirt doesn’t really matter). None of these say anything true about our closeness to Hashem. Neither does the crying during davening Roah Hashanah and Yom Kippur. What does more to define our reality is what we take away from our Elul, our Yomim Noraim, our performance of mitzvos all year round. What sort of dwelling do we provide for HKB”H Who wants his Shechinah to reside in our hearts?

When we accomplish our building of the interior, we would simply take note of the nisyonos, develop our strategies to cope, and move on with our lives of Avdus Hashem. It is sad that we are obsessed with the judgment of objects and technology while diverting our energy from a far greater purpose, our mission in our existence. I would hope that Elul would awaken us to focus inwardly. But threads like this (yes, a few others that are active now) are busy with the trivia. I know that internet and smartphones are issues. Most certainly. But if we allow ourselves to remain encased in the concrete of obliviousness to the reality of our creation, all that will change is the labels for these nisyonos. I seek to accomplish more this Elul than discuss whether we should ban technology.

Akuperma, people also got along without cars, refrigerators, washing machines, etc. Are you suggesting that we become Amish

Reb Eliezer:

Quite true. My point, which I think you get, is that the inner strength is the greatest ingredient needed to fight off the nisyonos of life. All the externals, as much as we might believe they are needed, do not compare.

A trivial point. The Medrash you quoted is one of those that is quoted liberally, and its veracity is not challenged. However, to date, there is absolutely no known reference for this in Medrash or any other source in Chazal. If you know one, share it. It would be a zechus for the public to know the source.

The issue of parnassah is a long time issue, its probably the #1 reason jews converted to christinity (They didnt convert because they belived in the man on the cross, but rather because they were poor and were limited in economic activities) .

Many others stopped keeping shabbos for the same reason, they couldnt support themselves

One should not dismiss this lightly

it didn’t take us long not even a full generation to start rationalizing . that quick.
throughout the duration of the past were many developments that were unequivocally negative and yet could be a trace Wow it didn’t lower it didn’t even take us this long not even a full generation to start right or generation to start rationalizing directions that was quick throughout the duration of the past you were many movements and developments that were unequivocally negative and yet y could be a trace of silver lining after the fact
and people have come and try to rationalize why it’s not so negative
the internet on the balance of it is bad
let’s stop trying to rationalize to ourselves
many of us find many uses for it .Presently it’s the reality & is not going away

nevertheless some of us are honest enough to admit the world was a better place beforehand prior to it’s advent

Attempt to
look back at some of your ancestors and try to Envision with relief that they’re fortunate they didn’t have to live in the internet age
that should say enough

‘האומר לרע טוב ולטוב רע’

The little I know. the Baal Akeida explains the meaning of הרהורי עבירה קשה מעבירה because one rationalizes and tries to explain an aveira finding excuses is worse than actually doing the aveira.

the internet has the same qualities as the pen, the newspaper and typewriter: it can be used for good or bad.
Problem is that many people who are embarrassed to visit inappropriate  stores, now do it in the ‘privacy’ of their homes……

People also complained when the Mussar movement started.
It’s easy to bury your head in the sand and live in the past, especially when you live in a sandbox.

devny:

The Mussar movement was a wonderful thing. But like any tool, it can be used improperly. It is also like any map. If not consulted, it becomes useless. I studied in yeshivos, and we had a mussar seder. It was empty ritual. The alternative was to make sifrei mussar an academic study. Seforim and sedarim are terrific. But until there is applied mussar, the beauty of the seforim and sedarim remains hidden.

“contemplate any of your ancestors and tell me if you really believe they would have better off rather than how you know them if they live d in the internet age ”

That’s a ridiculous argument.
“The internet age” is not in a vacuum. It is a construct that has evolved from a myriad causes, many of which relate directly to our social, economical, and cultural environments. To just pick it up and drop into the 18th century to see how it does is like finding a caveman and swapping out his wooden arrow for an AK-47.

for example now I could be learning but am on the internet

laynias dayti, the issurchet is vadai ussur.