Question
What is the Jewish perspective or viewpoint as the the use of technology to support learning?
Answer
It is well known that the Chafetz Chaim used to say that the purpose of technology was to help us fulfill mitzvos. A few examples: Once there were great Torah scholars who had encyclopedic knowledge of Torah, Talmud, and other sources. Unfortunately there are not as many of those scholars around today, and many people in smaller communities may lack acccess to them, and mail communication may take too long. Telephone, e-mail, and CD Rom help rectify all these situations. Obviously technology should not be a substitute for hard work and study with a qualified rebbe, but it definitely helps.
Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum