Tangled Web: Haredim And The Internet

NY1 has a new documentary series on haredi and the Internet, focusing on issues of rabbinic censorship, threats of violence, and the covering up of haredi-committed crime by haredi leadership. Here's part 1.

Part 1.

Part 2.

Part 3 is on tomorrow night. Rumor has it that it was filmed in a blogger's mother's basement.

Comments

[Korbendallas72]

For the record, my mother has no basement and I have no blog.

[jancsibacsi]

Well those who want to live their lifes in a fantasy world obviously dont want reality to inturde into their fantasy,they know they cannot win since reality is fact and not fiction,in short better get used to it and adept tot he internet.

[think for a change]

part 2 is already online
http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/political_news/166370/tangled-web--part-2--woman-behind-outspoken-website-addresses-sexual-abuse-among-orthodox-jews

[ah-pee-chorus]

Part 2 is on tomorrow night. Rumor has it that it was filmed in a blogger's mother's basement

nice. lol

[Bas Melech]

For a while I've pondered why the rabbis are so much against the internet. The chareidim say it brings porn into the house. For some reason, that criticism never seemed real to me. Most interet users never went to porn sites. Each generation faced challenges of "porn" and prostitution,whether in magazines, peep shows, strippers, or bordellos.

I believe that the main reason the rabbis want to assur the internet is because of the non porn sites that criticize what is taught in schools and yeshivas and informs the public of injustices in the religious community. Internet challenges rabbinic authority and their spin on their present day interpretation of Torah. It also exposes religious leaders yetzir horah. The are seen as men, not saints.

Abuse and other crimes have killed more nehamas than the computer.

[Shmarya]

Posted by: think for a change | August 07, 2012 at 07:44 PM

You're right. I fixed the post. Part 3 is tomorrow night.

[jancsibacsi]

Bas Melech-For alot of theese hassidim it would be a mitzva to watch porn with all the molestaions that they have in their communities, porn would be an outlet to their devious behaviour, the rebbes are also afraid of masturbation deathly afraid that their students would enjoy themselfs :)anything that is good for you is forbidden

[David]

The frumma keep talking about "age old traditions" but the traditions THEY practice are not ancient Jewish ones but are no older than 200 years at most and some as recent as the post war period.

Examples:

o Their clothing is goyishe clothing of around 200 years ago and designed for harsh eastern European winters.

o The tradition of not working and full time "learning" as well as their gross disrespect of the societies in which they live, including Israel (e.g. massive welfare abuse/fraud and general failure to follow the laws of the land) is a recent "innovation". Their welfare abuse allowing their full time "learning" and massive family sizes would not have been possible pre-war due to the abscence of generous welfare systems in Western countries. They actually had to look after themselves.

[Dave]

There is a problem out there with sites like Facebook causing many marriages to fail. It is a positive and responsible thing for leaders to recognize the problem and attempt to find some form of a solution to keep the problem in check.

[Maskil]

I'm still waiting for a documentory on censorship in Israel (State Censorship), because that's the real deal, it's far worse, and it acts as an example to all sectors for what is normal in a democracy.

[Rebitzman]

@David

Nice post

@Dave

If Facebook brings down your marriage, you didn't have much of one to start. You cure a disease by treating the cause, not the symptoms.

[chicago sam]

Ditto Rebitzman.

Haredim have yet to take personal responsibility for the collapse of their miserable world that is imploding.

[yuk]

I like the way eyton kobre calles the talmud the aramaic and hwbrew nuclear physics book. What's he drinking?

[zipora]

Although she seems to be sincere and somehow innocent, but by posting names and pictures of un-convicted people wouldn’t be fair to give these people and institutions accused at least a chance to rebuke her accusation?

She is a married woman and having a one-on-one long conversation with a gentile male (who even smiles to her)!?
She is married and doesn’t cover her hair!? Polishes her nails, isn’t that a crime? ע"פ הלכה לאשה כשרה וצניעה

And maybe in the rank of an
אשה העוברת על דת יהדות, ואולי אסירה לבעלה ויוצאות שלא בכתובה

Sorry but you can’t fight crime with another crime!!!

[Jeff]

She is a married woman and having a one-on-one long conversation with a gentile male (who even smiles to her)!?
She is married and doesn’t cover her hair!? Polishes her nails, isn’t that a crime? ע"פ הלכה לאשה כשרה וצניעה

And maybe in the rank of an
אשה העוברת על דת יהדות, ואולי אסירה לבעלה ויוצאות שלא בכתובה

Sorry but you can’t fight crime with another crime!!!

There aren't crimes in America - although I realize you don't live in America. You live in Harediland.

Why are you here? Do you have a heter from your rebbe to be online?

[Bas Melech]

Zipora-mm
hat is wrong with a married woman having a one-on-one long conversation with a gentile male (who even smiles to her)!" especially if it is part of her work?

As for being married and not covering her hair, until the later 1960s most women didn't cover their hair in the USA, even the wives of Roshei Yeshivas.

To quote David

"The frumma keep talking about "age old traditions" but the traditions THEY practice are not ancient Jewish ones but are no older than 200 years at most and some as recent as the post war period."

[Dave]

If Facebook brings down your marriage, you didn't have much of one to start. You cure a disease by treating the cause, not the symptoms.

Posted by: Rebitzman | August 08, 2012 at 06:49 AM

Is social media ruining real relationships

According to ABC News , a third of all divorce filings last year contained the word "Facebook."
That number was 20 percent just three years ago.
Many of the references have to do with spouses sending inappropriate messages to Facebook "friends."
Others have to with people saying nasty things about their significant others on the social media site.

Read more: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/now/is-facebook-contributing-to-the-divorce-rate#ixzz22xiL4tmP

[Korbendallas72]

There is a problem out there with sites like Facebook causing many marriages to fail. It is a positive and responsible thing for leaders to recognize the problem and attempt to find some form of a solution to keep the problem in check.

Posted by: Dave | August 07, 2012 at 10:44 PM

You could argue this logic but then I keep forgetting that Haredim don't have any. They just ban what they can't control. Like the state of Israe, for instance.

[Lubavitchers are Christians]

I don't get it Shmarya. Is the rumor about the blogger's mother's basement for part 2 or part 3?

[Abracadabra]

ANNOUNCING The First Unofficial Failed Messiah Get Together
THIS SUNDAY, July 12th

A bunch of us commenters on Failed Messiah are getting together this Sunday, July 12th, for an evening of live, face-to-face conversation, discussions and just some good ol' shmoozing. Come and chat with some of the regulars and meet like minded people.

If you are interested in attending, send an email ASAP to either APC: ahpeechorus@gmail.com or to Abracadabra: zehtov2@yahoo.com

You MUST include in the email your Failed Messiah screenname and email address you use for posting comments. Once we verify that they match up, we will send you the time and place of our gathering which will be in the greater NY/NJ Metropolitan Area.

Trolls Be Warned: We will have a bouncer at the door who means business, as well as the 3rd Billy Goat Gruff, and trolls will not be tolerated.

The Small Print: This event is not endorsed or sponsored by Failed Messiah, and Shmarya will not be attending.

[Abracadabra]

CORRECTION – AUGUST 12th – The First Unofficial Failed Messiah Get Together will be this Sunday AUGUST 12th (and NOT July 12th).

[Sabine]

Posted by: Bas Melech | August 07, 2012 at 08:21 PM
Yes, you said everything I was thinking. I think your post sums it up nicely.

[sk]

Shmarya was interviewed in a Chinese restaurant. That's so Jewish!

[Fatso]

Just saw Part 3 - someone has got to go on a real big diet! No wonder why the ladies are keeping their distance!

[Shmarya]

« Video: Convicted Sex Offender Runs For Congress Against A Kennedy | Main | Haredi Radio Host Fired After Calling Zionist Orthodoxy A “Cancer” »
August 07, 2012
Tangled Web: Haredim And The Internet

Tangled Web Part 1NY1 has a new documentary series on haredi and the Internet, focusing on issues of rabbinic censorship, threats of violence, and the covering up of haredi-committed crime by haredi leadership. Here's part 1.

Tangled Web Part 1

Part 1.

Part 2.

Part 3 is on tomorrow night. Rumor has it that it was filmed in a blogger's mother's basement.

Posted at 06:24 PM in Bans & Censorship, Blogs, Haredim, Media & Media Criticism | Permalink
Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

For the record, my mother has no basement and I have no blog.

Posted by: Korbendallas72 | August 07, 2012 at 06:51 PM

Well those who want to live their lifes in a fantasy world obviously dont want reality to inturde into their fantasy,they know they cannot win since reality is fact and not fiction,in short better get used to it and adept tot he internet.

Posted by: jancsibacsi | August 07, 2012 at 07:16 PM

part 2 is already online
http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/political_news/166370/tangled-web--part-2--woman-behind-outspoken-website-addresses-sexual-abuse-among-orthodox-jews

Posted by: think for a change | August 07, 2012 at 07:44 PM

Part 2 is on tomorrow night. Rumor has it that it was filmed in a blogger's mother's basement

nice. lol

Posted by: ah-pee-chorus | August 07, 2012 at 08:19 PM

For a while I've pondered why the rabbis are so much against the internet. The chareidim say it brings porn into the house. For some reason, that criticism never seemed real to me. Most interet users never went to porn sites. Each generation faced challenges of "porn" and prostitution,whether in magazines, peep shows, strippers, or bordellos.

I believe that the main reason the rabbis want to assur the internet is because of the non porn sites that criticize what is taught in schools and yeshivas and informs the public of injustices in the religious community. Internet challenges rabbinic authority and their spin on their present day interpretation of Torah. It also exposes religious leaders yetzir horah. The are seen as men, not saints.

Abuse and other crimes have killed more nehamas than the computer.

Posted by: Bas Melech | August 07, 2012 at 08:21 PM

Posted by: think for a change | August 07, 2012 at 07:44 PM

You're right. I fixed the post. Part 3 is tomorrow night.

Posted by: Shmarya | August 07, 2012 at 08:23 PM

Bas Melech-For alot of theese hassidim it would be a mitzva to watch porn with all the molestaions that they have in their communities, porn would be an outlet to their devious behaviour, the rebbes are also afraid of masturbation deathly afraid that their students would enjoy themselfs :)anything that is good for you is forbidden

Posted by: jancsibacsi | August 07, 2012 at 08:41 PM

The frumma keep talking about "age old traditions" but the traditions THEY practice are not ancient Jewish ones but are no older than 200 years at most and some as recent as the post war period.

Examples:

o Their clothing is goyishe clothing of around 200 years ago and designed for harsh eastern European winters.

o The tradition of not working and full time "learning" as well as their gross disrespect of the societies in which they live, including Israel (e.g. massive welfare abuse/fraud and general failure to follow the laws of the land) is a recent "innovation". Their welfare abuse allowing their full time "learning" and massive family sizes would not have been possible pre-war due to the abscence of generous welfare systems in Western countries. They actually had to look after themselves.

Posted by: David | August 07, 2012 at 08:51 PM

There is a problem out there with sites like Facebook causing many marriages to fail. It is a positive and responsible thing for leaders to recognize the problem and attempt to find some form of a solution to keep the problem in check.

Posted by: Dave | August 07, 2012 at 10:44 PM

I'm still waiting for a documentory on censorship in Israel (State Censorship), because that's the real deal, it's far worse, and it acts as an example to all sectors for what is normal in a democracy.

Posted by: Maskil | August 08, 2012 at 12:19 AM

@David

Nice post

@Dave

If Facebook brings down your marriage, you didn't have much of one to start. You cure a disease by treating the cause, not the symptoms.

Posted by: Rebitzman | August 08, 2012 at 06:49 AM

Ditto Rebitzman.

Haredim have yet to take personal responsibility for the collapse of their miserable world that is imploding.

Posted by: chicago sam | August 08, 2012 at 07:40 AM

Although she seems to be sincere and somehow innocent, but by posting names and pictures of un-convicted people wouldn’t be fair to give these people and institutions accused at least a chance to rebuke her accusation?

She is a married woman and having a one-on-one long conversation with a gentile male (who even smiles to her)!?
She is married and doesn’t cover her hair!? Polishes her nails, isn’t that a crime? ע"פ הלכה לאשה כשרה וצניעה

And maybe in the rank of an
אשה העוברת על דת יהדות, ואולי אסירה לבעלה ויוצאות שלא בכתובה

Sorry but you can’t fight crime with another crime!!!

Posted by: zipora | August 08, 2012 at 08:21 AM

She is a married woman and having a one-on-one long conversation with a gentile male (who even smiles to her)!?
She is married and doesn’t cover her hair!? Polishes her nails, isn’t that a crime? ע"פ הלכה לאשה כשרה וצניעה

And maybe in the rank of an
אשה העוברת על דת יהדות, ואולי אסירה לבעלה ויוצאות שלא בכתובה

Sorry but you can’t fight crime with another crime!!!

There aren't crimes in America - although I realize you don't live in America. You live in Harediland.

Why are you here? Do you have a heter from your rebbe to be online?

Posted by: Jeff | August 08, 2012 at 09:04 AM

Zipora-mm
hat is wrong with a married woman having a one-on-one long conversation with a gentile male (who even smiles to her)!" especially if it is part of her work?

As for being married and not covering her hair, until the later 1960s most women didn't cover their hair in the USA, even the wives of Roshei Yeshivas.

To quote David

"The frumma keep talking about "age old traditions" but the traditions THEY practice are not ancient Jewish ones but are no older than 200 years at most and some as recent as the post war period."

Posted by: Bas Melech | August 08, 2012 at 09:15 AM

If Facebook brings down your marriage, you didn't have much of one to start. You cure a disease by treating the cause, not the symptoms.

Posted by: Rebitzman | August 08, 2012 at 06:49 AM

Is social media ruining real relationships

According to ABC News , a third of all divorce filings last year contained the word "Facebook."
That number was 20 percent just three years ago.
Many of the references have to do with spouses sending inappropriate messages to Facebook "friends."
Others have to with people saying nasty things about their significant others on the social media site.

Read more: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/now/is-facebook-contributing-to-the-divorce-rate#ixzz22xiL4tmP

Posted by: Dave | August 08, 2012 at 09:18 AM

There is a problem out there with sites like Facebook causing many marriages to fail. It is a positive and responsible thing for leaders to recognize the problem and attempt to find some form of a solution to keep the problem in check.

Posted by: Dave | August 07, 2012 at 10:44 PM

You could argue this logic but then I keep forgetting that Haredim don't have any. They just ban what they can't control. Like the state of Israe, for instance.

Posted by: Korbendallas72 | August 08, 2012 at 10:00 AM

I don't get it Shmarya. Is the rumor about the blogger's mother's basement for part 2 or part 3?

Posted by: Lubavitchers are Christians | August 08, 2012 at 10:32 AM

ANNOUNCING The First Unofficial Failed Messiah Get Together
THIS SUNDAY, July 12th

A bunch of us commenters on Failed Messiah are getting together this Sunday, July 12th, for an evening of live, face-to-face conversation, discussions and just some good ol' shmoozing. Come and chat with some of the regulars and meet like minded people.

If you are interested in attending, send an email ASAP to either APC: ahpeechorus@gmail.com or to Abracadabra: zehtov2@yahoo.com

You MUST include in the email your Failed Messiah screenname and email address you use for posting comments. Once we verify that they match up, we will send you the time and place of our gathering which will be in the greater NY/NJ Metropolitan Area.

Trolls Be Warned: We will have a bouncer at the door who means business, as well as the 3rd Billy Goat Gruff, and trolls will not be tolerated.

The Small Print: This event is not endorsed or sponsored by Failed Messiah, and Shmarya will not be attending.

Posted by: Abracadabra | August 08, 2012 at 02:47 PM

CORRECTION – AUGUST 12th – The First Unofficial Failed Messiah Get Together will be this Sunday AUGUST 12th (and NOT July 12th).

Posted by: Abracadabra | August 08, 2012 at 06:27 PM

Posted by: Bas Melech | August 07, 2012 at 08:21 PM
Yes, you said everything I was thinking. I think your post sums it up nicely.

Posted by: Sabine | August 08, 2012 at 07:58 PM

Shmarya was interviewed in a Chinese restaurant. That's so Jewish!

Posted by: sk | August 08, 2012 at 09:38 PM

Just saw Part 3 - someone has got to go on a real big diet! No wonder why the ladies are keeping their distance!

Posted by: Fatso | August 08, 2012 at 09:38 PM

About half of that is fluid from a medicine I had to take.

The other half is fat.

I can still leg press more than 700 lbs, and lat pull about 300 – about triple the amount you can, I'd bet.

And the best thing is that, even with the injury I have, I can still knock you out with either hand.

[Kolko Puffs]

One thing is for sure. Shmarya is way better looking than Avi Shafran. That's without my haredi glasses.

Any food at the FM get together? Kosher?

[Alex]

FYI Part 3 can be seen here:

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/166456/tangled-web--part-3--midwest-blogger-finds-many-readers--enemies-among-new-york-s-orthodox-jews

[Alex]

FYI Part 3 can be seen here:

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/166456/tangled-web--part-3--midwest-blogger-finds-many-readers--enemies-among-new-york-s-orthodox-jews

[Debbie Teller adkan]

Tzipora
I am wearing a sheitel- sorry but nowadays sheitels look like real hair, and better than that. (Where do u buy yours, so that ppl know where not to go.)
As far as Mr. Robins looking at me? Oy you are right I should have offered him the blurry glasses and hood....
and no, he should NOT have smiled at me- after all I am a married woman!