If there was any question before, it is now clear to all. In accordance with the new regulation announced one may not bring any type of computer into the Satmar Beis Medrash in Yerushalayim. The new sign, black on green to make certain it attracts everyone’s attention, was posted on Wednesday night, January 11, 2012. It states that any “electronic technology device” is prohibited.
The Text:
In accordance with the new takanah in the beis medrash, it is absolutely forbidden to bring any type of computer, even one that contains chidushei Torah, even one not connected to tamei places, into the beis medrash or the shteibelach. It goes without saying that this includes the other tamei devices, iPhone, iPod and etc.
The new regulation also includes bringing these devices in for a short period of time, even one just passing through.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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21 Responses
Why would anyone need an electronic device in a beis medrash? You are supposed to be in a beis medrash to learn Torah! Do they allow people to read newspapers in a beis medrash? What about running a business with a telephone? What about play chess?
So where’s the hiddush in this?
I am happy that Satmar sticks to its principles. I also believe that we should not use ball point pens. My parents used wooded pencils, my grandparents used wooden pencils and I insist that my children use wooden pencils too.
There have been too many disgusting letters penned in ball point pens. They are too easy too use, just click and any idiot can write. Wooden pencils require intelligence to use; they must be sharpened just right or the line is not clear.
which satmer is this? on yoel or yonah?
was just wondering what about a calculator is it also ASUR?
money is somethig new. so when they come collecting because they don’t have parnassah. please do not contribute.
I have no problem with any individual, group, or beis medrash instituting their chumras.
The problem would be when said individual or group starts cursing, spitting at, or throwing things at OTHER people, NOT of their group, because THEY don’t observe those chumras.
We all have to remember that your chumra, IS by definition YOUR chumra, it is NOT a chiyuv for everyone else.
Why is this news
The intentions are noble but will not accomplish much ona practical basis. What is most important in this whole arena is to change the mindset. This nekuda is applicable not only in Satmar but to every indiviual in Klal Yisroel.
You cannot deny the reality of the age we live in especially in the open society that we all circulate in.
Even when the Satmar rov zt”l was alive he said that you see more tumah in a 10 minute subway ride from Brooklyn to Manhattan that a person saw in their entire life in the alter heim.
We are not properly preparing our youth as to how to function in today’s society.
Assuring everything under the sun is not the answer.
To all sarcatic posters, in my shul I’ve observed lately 2 yungeleit sitting in bais medrash with notebook computers, although they mostly use it for divrai torah, I realized once that one of the avreichws was just briefly checking his email on it..
a shul is a shul, and office is office.
Akuperma,
Numerous people type the shiur on their computers
Secondly their are shiurim online one can watch
#10- Why watch a shiur online if you are already in the Beis medrash? That’s like taking a portable television to Yankee Stadium to watch the Yankees play.
How about pacemakers?
This is exactly why these “news articles” shouldn’t be posted. One community/sect’s minhagim should not be target practice for the Tzibbur.
I can assure you that Satmar doesn’t inform their community about the latest sign hung up in any Agudah or Young Israel as it does not concern them.
To provide an article which leads to instant jokes/mockery of peoples’ way of lives is just wrong and does not belong on a “frum” site.
its Rechov Yonah (Reb Ahron)
Akumpta I will give you a reason as to why allow a laptop in a beis medrash (and believe me I am not in favor of a computer in the BM unless a particular circumstance). When I was in yeshiva there was a boy that had an extreme eye difficulty. He needed printed words in really large type. Guess what he used to help him learn? EXACTly
#15 – a magnifying glass?
I am not certain about the English translation of the sign. Does that say iPAD or iPOD? It needs nukudot to really be understood correctly.
Is a digital wristwatch okay? Why does it specifically mention Blackberry and iPhone, if even a regular cellphone ought to be included. Clearly we need some meforshim to explain the meaning of this beraisa. Did Tosefos already ask these questions? I am not clear on the validity of the Kal Vechomer either.
#15 – And I am willing to bet that no one would object. The rule is clearly directed against people who becoming so integrated with their electronic devices that instead of being tools they become distractions. While the article makes it seem like they are Luddites (people who oppose technology), it seems more like this is just the ongoing struggle against bitual Torah.
#10- Why watch a shiur online if you are already in the Beis medrash? That’s like taking a portable television to Yankee Stadium to watch the Yankees play
akuperma,
have you learnt before
you’re comparing apples to oranges
if a person is “holding” in yevamos while the beis medrash is learning “kesubos” (the person doesn’t learn in the yeshiva they’re just visiting)
secondly there probably isn’t a shiur going on when they have their computer (unless it’s for taking notes) and they want to watch a shiur instead of learning what the yeshiva is
This is NOT about prohibitions, takanos, chumros, minhagim, or anything else. It is about the non-kehilah oriented world, the democratic society in which we live, the live and let live philosophy into which many of us were born, that cannot tolerate being dictated to, cannot tolerate subjegating oneself to another’s will or authority. Why do you think divorce is rising among our own? Why do think there are so many drop-outs and kids (and adults) on the streets? It is because they can’t relate to another’s needs, desires, and demands. There is no us or we. It is all I. But that is not the mature of Am Yisroel. We are one. We are His people, His chosen people. We support each other. We listen to each other’s needs and provide for them. If we accept the idea that my Rav, Rebbe, posek, Rosh Yeshiva etc. can tell me what to do, then hearing of others doing the same will not bother me. In fact we will take pride in belonging to a society committed to growth through oneness. When I can’t be told what to do, when, and with whom, then I am uncomfortable with others who can.
Would I personally use a laptop in a BM? Not at all. Would I encourage my friends to use it. Nope.
I will let yitzy k tell a bachur with very poor eye sight that he should use a magnifying glass to read the very small type mefarshim instead of a laptop. To me it sounds like a way of insulting a person who loves to learn.
#20 – I didn’t say that someone that needs special equipment should use a magnifying glass!!
Poster 15 ended with a question – “Guess what he used to help him learn?”. I was giving a silly guess, showing that the point is not made clear when you don’t say it outright.