The Dangers of the Internet

The chashuv (important) Orthodox rabbis in my community, and there are many of them, have all agreed that we need a community meeting to discuss the dangers of the Internet.  My rav told us in no uncertain terms,

Be there.

I had a feeling this was brewing and am not at all sure what it’s about.  Maybe it’s about gambling, more probably it’s about porn.

One of my married children said that what we’ll hear, if we go, and really, who wants to go, is this:

Keep your children off the Internet between the ages of 2-20, and if they’re  male, forever.

My mother-in-law said that the rabbi kept using the word, ADDICTION.  I didn’t hear it.  I was sitting in the back.

What’s an Internet loving, Israel-news junkie supposed to do with this?  Should I go to the meeting and voice my objections, risk cherem?

How do I translate cherem? I thought it meant that one’s soul is rejected from Paradise, but maybe not, maybe it means just the community rejects you, and for sure, cherem implies that unmarried children won’t find suitable matches.

If I get up and say, ALL SECULAR LEARNING CAN NOW BE HAD AT ONE’S FINGERTIPS, I’ll hear, FEH!

We’ll see.  I’ll try to attend.

Addictedly Yours,

zachdus