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| Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt of the CER (Arutz Sheva) |
Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman had addressed the assembled before introducing the late R’ Shmuel HaLevi Wosner, ZTL – a major Israeli Posek that spoke via satellite from his home in Bnei Brak. Rabbi Wachsman quoted a Rabbenu Yona which stated when a Gadol addresses the masses of Klal Yisroel and makes a declaration about public policy, those that do not listen to him lose their Olam Haba (their share in the world to come)! That quote prefaced Rav Wosner's ban on internet which followed.
That was later modified somewhat to allow for use in matters of Paranssa. But for the most part the attitude was that the internet was evil.There were threats made by Yeshiva heads at the time about those that violated the decree and allowed the internet into their homes. They would not allow their children into their schools. (That may in fact still be the case in some circles)
Fast forward to today. Does the fact that the vast majority of observant Jewry in of all of Orthodoxy use the internet for personal use mean that we have all lost our Olam Haba?
The answer is of course we haven’t. In fact I would even say that internet use is up in most observant homes well beyond what it was at the time of that Asifa in 2012. Despite Rabbi Wahcsman’s warning. Especially now that it can be easily and quickly accessed in the palm of our hands anywhere in the world. I don’t know if he ever publicly retracted his dire warning. But he should if he didn’t.
As well intended as that Asifa was - and as serious of a problem that the internet presents, it is not only a force for evil. It is also a force for good. As I said at the time - it is all about responsible use. When used responsibly it can be life saving. And in no way should it ever be banned, despite Rav Wosner’s decree.
But that hasn’t stopped the naysayers form insisting that it would be best of it were not used at all. To this day Agudath Israel of America does not have their own website. Although they do have one they use unofficially. Unofficially for purposes of deniability. And they use it profusely. They can therefore still deny they have one – thus underscoring their view that the evil outweighs the good while at the same time using it to their advantage.
It is difficult for me to understand the fine line they are trying to draw.While at the same time they reject it as an official forum, they nonetheless use it extensively on an unofficial website.
Let us contrast this with a relatively new development in Europe. From Arutz Sheva:
A group of leading, senior Rabbis, representing over 700 synagogue communities throughout Europe, have invested in technology to aid social progress, through the Conference of European Rabbis’ Internet Prize.
The event, which is under the patronage of the Prime Minister of France, Mr Édouard Philippe and Mrs. Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris, brings together talented and ambitious entrepreneurs together with Europe’s most senior Rabbis to encourage using the internet for social good. As many within society are focusing on the increased online abuse, CER are harnessing the positives as previous winners have impacted the worlds of education and healthcare.
The Conference of European Rabbis (CER) is not a Conservative or Reform Group. They are probably the equivalent of Agudah, RCA, and the OU combined. If I understand correctly they represent all of Orthodoxy in Europe. They now embrace the internet. They understand what most of the rest of us have understood for many years now. That that the internet is a tool that when used wisely can be lifesaving. And that everyone should have it in their homes.
This demonstrates that even great rabbis can be wrong. The idea that Daas Torah is infallible is thereby reftuted. Of course those loyal to that idea have always admitted fallibility, but in practice they will follow it as thought it were infallible. The argument being that the great rabbis of our day are the best representation of Daas Torah. Since they have no one better to listen to- they follow their decrees - regardless.
I am not sure there has ever been an instance where Daas Torah (as they define it) was shown to be in error (unless it was somehow admitted by them - if it ever was). Well, this is one such instance.
I believe the Agudah would do well to admit they have been wrong about it too and embrace it just the way their European counterparts have.