QUESTION:
I live in America. My Rav has a "kosher smartphone, with some kosher apps on it, and he feels that there’s nothing wrong with having texting as long as you use it sensibly. My Posek that I use also has a "kosher smartphone". I can’t imagine that he has anything questionable on it. My Rosh Yeshiva is a tzaddik and a wonderful person, and he will often “text” talmidim to ask them how they’re doing. He even wanted that I should get “Skype” on my computer, for something that he felt was a necessity for me – and he insisted on it, because he said that he doesn’t feel it’s a problem when it’s a necessity to have it.
Since I consider myself a talmid of the Rav and I want to do what the Rav says, and I know that the Rav doesn’t approve of any use of “kosher” smartphones or media use, I want to know: How am I supposed to view my Rav, Posek and Rosh Yeshiva who all make use of these devices somehow? I want to be dan l’kaf zechus them and not think negatively of them, but how can I do that if I know that the Rav strongly does not approve of what they do? Especially because I’m aware that the Rav has said that there’s a much more carefree attitude about media use in America and that people here are quicker to find and use heterim in this area.
Are my Rabbonim disqualified as role models for me because they feel a need to use “kosher smartphones” or using media or freely texting other people, something which I know the Rav doesn’t approve of?
Since I consider myself a talmid of the Rav and I want to do what the Rav says, and I know that the Rav doesn’t approve of any use of “kosher” smartphones or media use, I want to know: How am I supposed to view my Rav, Posek and Rosh Yeshiva who all make use of these devices somehow? I want to be dan l’kaf zechus them and not think negatively of them, but how can I do that if I know that the Rav strongly does not approve of what they do? Especially because I’m aware that the Rav has said that there’s a much more carefree attitude about media use in America and that people here are quicker to find and use heterim in this area.
Are my Rabbonim disqualified as role models for me because they feel a need to use “kosher smartphones” or using media or freely texting other people, something which I know the Rav doesn’t approve of?
ANSWER:
The spirit of impurity (tumah) in America has created a different attitude in people already for many years now. It is very accepted in America for people to study for a degree, to incorporate college into yeshivos so that yeshiva students can get college degrees. And there are many other breaches in modesty there, as well as the gross pursuit of luxury and comfort. This carefree attitude in America has continued and increased into becoming a general attitude of “finding a heter” and now it has only become stronger. There are those who explained that the level of the generation today [in America] looks the same as what the generation looked like in Germany, right before the Holocaust. Enough said.
Categories
