Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Fighting Darkness With Light

Some time ago I posted this, and wanted to write a follow up.

In this generation the world has changed dramatically. One of the greatest changes is the advent of the Internet. From a Jewish perspective, there are numerous problems with the Internet [we also know that the Internet spreads much Light; tens of thousands of shiurim, websites for zmanei tfilla, minyanim everywhere etc. etc. etc.]. The most publicized issue is that of tzniyus. It is virtually impossible to go anywhere on the web without being exposed to filth. That is why it is best to go nowhere.....

However there is in my opinion a more pernicious and insidious problem - heresy. The web is filled with atheism and blasphemy. Everything is subject to everybody's opinion. There are many blogs and websites devoted soley to mocking Torah and everything we deem holy. When people read this they don't know what to respond and even if they continue keeping mitzvos [sometimes they stop...], their enthusiasm is cooled considerably. That is why it is so critical to teach people Emunah and to make it a central part of one's daily life and learning. People need the weapons to defend their faith. Sometimes people even undermine the basis of our faith under the guise of protecting it. והמבין יבין.

A random example on how the study of Emunah would help: The Yomim Noraim. About 20 years ago someone astutely observed that in our shuls you may see a lot of "frumkeit" but we have lost the FEAR. Where I davened Rosh Hashana I heard one fellow [beard black, hat etc.] say "I told my wife this morning - negelvasser and put the cholent on the fire". He enjoyed his witticism so much he repeated it a second time to others. His continued existence and that of his family is being scrutinized and he is making cracks and worrying about food??? It is because the idea of "din" is so far off and distant that the cholent seems much more compelling... If one is filled with Emunah, he experiences Yom Hadin as something real.

Much more to say but we will leave it here for now:-).