Orthodox Jews Discuss Dangers of Internet; Claim It Undermines Our Ability to Pray Unstopped

The Huffington Post website reports today (May 21, 2012) that tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men attended a rally yesterday at the New York Mets' stadium on the dangers of the Internet, and how to use modern technology in a religiously responsible way.

Women were not permitted to attend the meeting at Citi Field in Queens; however, it was broadcast live to audiences of women in schools and event halls in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods.

Eytan Kobre -- a lawyer who is spokesman for the event's organizers -- said the rally's purpose was not to ban the Internet, but to learn how to harness it. He cited online pornography and gambling -- as well as the risk of social media -- undermining "our ability to pray uninterruptedly, to focus and to concentrate."

Television is banned or discouraged by ultra-Orthodox Jews, but Kobre said many ultra-Orthodox Jews use the Internet either on computers or on smartphones. "There's a spectrum of usage and there's a spectrum of how people are dealing with it," he said.