Year: 2017

What Is WebChaver?

The idea of Internet Accountability is simple: A person will certainly not view inappropriate material on the internet if others could see what they have viewed. WebChaver (using the acclaimed Covenant Eyes software) will send an easy-to-read report of your internet activity to a Chaver of your choice; a spouse, parent, or friend, who can view the report and ensure your browsing integrity.

This concept is not new. Our Sages tell us that a shomer (guardian) that has the ability to check up on someone is an effective safeguard against sin. Many Halachic authorities have declared the Internet to be no different than being alone with a forbidden woman (yichud). The most effective way to counter this is by appointing a shomer – someone that can “check up” on your activity and ensure the internet is being used only for the good.

From their website.

Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovitz is a big fan. He adds one should also have some form of filter (WebChaver offers an optional one, too).

Check it out.

Feiglin on the Grocery Law

Keep Government Out of Private Religious Practice

by Moshe Feiglin

The “Grocery Store Bill” that passed today in the Knesset is an excellent example of why the State should not be involved in religious affairs. What is the story behind this bill? In the beginning, there was a law prohibiting the opening of businesses, including grocery stores, on Shabbat. In Tel Aviv, the law was ignored. The High Court supported Tel Aviv. The Knesset opposed Tel Aviv.

The bill turned into a major political battle. After a full course of baseless hatred all around, we have come full circle: The new bill says what had already been the case in practice: In communities that wish to have open groceries on Shabbat, the groceries will be open. In communities that wish to have closed groceries on Shabbat, the groceries will be closed.

What does Zehut say?

We must remove the entire issue from the Knesset and its conflict-instigators, and give the authority to decide on Shabbat observance for private businesses to the communities. In the words of President Trump, “All we are doing is recognizing reality”. (Reality, by the way, is the secular name for the Master of the Universe). For more on Religion and State, see our Platform Synopsis.

קול החינוך גליון #103

יו”ל ע”י ‘ועד הורים’ – בהכוונת גדולי התורה שליט”א

* למסירת מידע ומשלוח מסמכים בס”ד 03-691-5752, טלפקס: 6915752@okmail.co.il

[קול החינוך עוסק במלחמת מדינת ישראל בחינוך יהודי עצמאי.]

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Reprinted with permission.

Rabbi Asher Weiss: May One Plead ‘Guilty’ in Government Court?

Plea Deals and Chillul Hashem

Question:

Shalom Aleichem,

Occasionally, in order to secure a conviction (which can be very difficult), prosecutors will make a deal with the accused that they will only be charged with a lesser offense if they agree to plead guilty.

In the event that an observant Jew has been charged with a particularly egregious crime ר”ל is there a formal/technical concern about chilul Hashem in “admitting” to such crime when one is innocent? Is it possible to speak about this generally or does it depend upon the particulars?

Answer:

It would be permissible to make a plea bargain as it is common knowledge that this is a legal tactic and often does not reflect the truth. The defendant and his legal team will often state this openly. The technicality of entering the plea does not necessarily increase Chilul Hashem. In many cases, the charges alone and their being spread by the media cause the greatest Chilul Hashem, regardless of the outcome and trial.

As you mentioned, however, this question would certainly be case dependent, and if in fact making a plea would cause a great Chilul Hashem, it is something to be considered. This would depend on the standing of the defendant in his community, the nature of the charges and the evidence against him.

From Tvunah, here.