thecommunityconnections.com 845-371-2222 | January 8, ‘25 128 Number 263 Stay true and loyal to the Torah way, Don’t let technology lead you astray. “My grandchildren know their way around my smartphone better than I do,” A project of: To hear more stories, experiences and thoughts, tune in to: 845.400.1111 (men) | 845.400.1114 (women) For comments or donations, please call the office: 845.351.9511 לעילוי נשמת שרה בת גיטל פראדא ע”ה בס"ד Several years ago, a distant relative came to visit me in my city. Taking the opportunity, he decided to drop by my house for a chat. “Shalom Aleichem,” I greeted him warmly. We sat down at the table and started a pleasant conversation. Suddenly, I heard a faint but unmistakable whistle. To my surprise, I saw my guest pulling a smartphone out of his pocket. “What’s that doing in your pocket?” I asked, stunned. “Don’t you know it’s osser?” He waved his hand dismissively, a hint of indifference in his voice. “I don’t understand the hysteria around this,” he said. “Everyone acts as if holding this device automatically drags you into the worst places. I’ve had this phone for a long time, and I’ve never ended up anywhere inappropriate. I use it only when I need it, no more.” His confidence was palpable. He promptly returned the phone to his pocket, leaving me momentarily unsure. He seemed so selfassured, so unaffected. Was he right? Could it be that the dangers were exaggerated, that a person of strong character could own such a device without succumbing to its pitfalls? Doubt crept into my mind. On one hand, the rabbis were unanimous in their warnings about smartphones, declaring them among the most dangerous influences of our generation. On the other hand, here was my cousin, treating it like an ordinary tool—a plate, he said, used when needed and set aside when not. So, who was right? The rabbis’ stance was clear, and I had no doubt about their wisdom. But could there be exceptions? Could a person with unwavering self-control own a smartphone without being harmed by it? “Do you ever look at things you shouldn’t?” my son suddenly interjected, his eyes wide with curiosity. “Have you ever accidentally come across something inappropriate?” My cousin shook his head confidently. “No,” he replied. “I barely know how to operate this thing. Honestly, I only use it for basic tasks. My grandchildren—little kids— understand it far better than I do.” I leaned in, my ears catching a critical nuance in his words. “My grandchildren know their way around my smartphone better than I do,” he chuckled. “They end up in places I wouldn’t even know how to find.” A chill ran down my spine. He didn’t even realize what he was admitting. His grandchildren—innocent children—were already navigating the very dangers he claimed to avoid. And there it was, the reason for the rabbis’ stern warnings. Even if he believed himself immune, the effects rippled outward, touching the next generation. Tragically, the evidence was clear: children exposed to these tools were growing up in a vastly different reality, far removed from the innocence and purity their grandparents once knew. So, can anyone truly stay unaffected? Perhaps the better question is whether it’s worth the risk to try.
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