The Sadigura Rebbe Shlita has announced a new regulations that permits using a blocked smartphone with certain conditions. The rebbe’s announcement follows a meeting this week of the Agudas Yisrael Torah Council, which he is a member of. The rebbes spoke of the absolute prohibition regarding the use of smartphones.

In the Sadigura Chassidus, the rabbonim responsible for communication sent a form to chassidim seeking to purchase a smartphone. They are asked to sign a declaration to receive permission for the phone. The chossid must state his name, what he does to make a living accompanied with an explanation justifying why he needs the smartphone. He must also detail the details of the phone and which applications are essential. A special section of the form addresses apps including WhatsApp and Telegram.

The chossid must explain if and why these programs are essential, and if he belongs to any groups and detail them. There is also a question asking if he must send photos and videos.

The chossid must sign a declaration the phone is for parnasa, exclusively for his use, and that the apps will be used for work-related issues exclusively and not for recreational purposes and certainly not for sending photos, text messages and videos. The chossid also agrees that use of the phone will be in line with regulations set forth by the Communications Committee of the chassidus. He agrees to turn over the phone to the vaad for updates if required, and that he will not open any of the filters placed on the phone by the vaad. He agrees to permit the vaad to connect the phone to the filtering service used by the chassidus, permitting the vaad to maintain final say regarding which websites are blocked and which will remain accessible.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)