Question: What’s wrong about internet?

Answer: I suppose the answer to your question will depend on who you ask. As I’m sure you already know, there are some who feel that the risks that come with the content available on the Internet – like exposure to lifestyles that the Torah (not to mention common sense) considers horrifying and ideas that should be disturbing to Torah-loyal Jews – outweigh the benefits to such a degree that you’re far better off trying to isolate yourself from the whole thing.

I personally feel that the potential benefits of the online world are significant and that, at this point, isolation is pretty much impossible in any case, so we’re better off learning to recognize the problems and to intelligently manage them.

The first step is to think carefully about what you, as a Torah Jew, consider essential; what you should never give compromise under any circumstances. In other words, define for yourself exactly what your growing relationship with HaShem requires of you. Then think about what categories of Internet activity can harm those key values. For instance, consider what exposing yourself to potentially careless and dangerous relationships or perverse behaviour patterns you might encounter through social networking sites. Or simply consider the potential for countless hours of wasted time!

Once you know what’s truly important to you, and what aspects of the Internet could cause you harm, you could then look for strategies for filtering what you see and do on-line and using what’s good in a healthy way.

And, of course, never ignore your family’s values in these matters!

I wish you great hatzlacha,
Rabbi Boruch Clinton
Toronto, Canada