A kenos to address threats from today’s technology was held on Monday evening in the Gur Chassidus.
7,000 chassidim participated in the event in the Gerrer Beis Medrash including the Gerrer Rebbe Shlita.
The rebbe gave his bracha to participants and spoke of technology and those using approved devices after receiving a special dispensation.
The main address was delivered by HaGaon Rav Meir Pilsker, one of the Roshei Yeshiva Chidushei HaRim, who spoke in no uncertain terms about ‘kedushas habayis’ and the absolute prohibition to bring technological devices into one’s home other than those with a heter for purposes of earning a livelihood.
Rav Nachman Gutterman detailed the threats posed by today’s technology and that “chareidi Jews must stay away from WhatsApp”.
The only exception to this is communicating on WhatsApp with a non-Jew, or non-chareidi Jews towards earning a livelihood only.
Thousands of Gur Hasidim gathered on Tuesday at convention in Jerusalem to discuss a series of new regulations regarding cellular phone applications and internet use.
At the “Emergency Meeting Against the Dangers of Technology”, Hasidim were reminded of the strict prohibition against using internet-capable cellular devices, even if content screening programs are in place. According to the regulation, only those who require internet access for business purposes are permitted to use even filtered internet connections.
In addition, those permitted to carry such devices are forbidden from taking them out in synagogues or in predominantly haredi areas.
The popular Whatsapp cell phone application was also dealt with during the meeting. Speakers lambasted the application and called upon Gur Hasidim to remove it from their phones. Even in cases where the application is needed for business purposes, the new regulations prohibit its usage except in communications with secular Jews or non-Jews, and only where absolutely necessary.
One speaker at the convention issued an unprecedented ruling against internet usage, saying that anyone who uses unfiltered internet connections is no longer deemed worthy of respect from their children.
“Anyone whose parent possesses a non-kosher device is no longer obligated by the [biblical law of] ‘Honoring thy father and mother’, and is not allowed to visit them.”
Two large “shtibel”-style synagogues were shut down this weekend as members of the Gur Hasidic sect rebelled against new regulations regarding cellular phones and internet usage, BeHadrei Haredim reported on Sunday.
Last Tuesday a special “Emergency Meeting” was held in Jerusalem to rule on a number of technology-related questions, including the use of popular cell phone applications like the Whatsapp messaging service.
Among the new regulations adopted during the meeting, which drew thousands of Gur Hasidim, were strict limits on the usage of the Whatsapp application, and new rules on which cell phone services are permissible, with certain dispensations given for work-related needs.
But some within Gur have openly rejected the new rules, flaunting their continued use of newly forbidden devices at synagogues associated with the Hasidic sect.
Despite new dictates forbidding the use of internet-capable cell phones – particularly in or around synagogues – a number of Gur Hasidim have continued to use devices with filtered internet, what are sometimes referred to as “Kosher smartphones”.
Their refusal to switch to the approved cell phone provider, Delta Mobile, and their conspicuous usage of forbidden devices in and around places of worship led to the closure of at least two synagogues.
Both the Abarbanel Shtibel in Bnei Brak and Beit HaHasidim Shtibel in Ashdod were shut down on Friday and Saturday. Those managing the synagogues noted that strict orders were given at last week’s conference, and that a number of congregants had been seen openly violating the rules concerning cell phone use.